U.S. Institute of Peace

04/19/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/19/2024 13:15

For Peace in Africa, Boost Regional Blocs — Like West Africa’s ECOWAS

As the United States and international partners work to stabilize Africa's Sahel region - and to prevent its warfare, violent extremism and armed coups from metastasizing into Africa's densely populous and strategic Atlantic coast - the West African multinational bloc, ECOWAS, has proven its value in resolving crises and promoting stability. Yet, as global security threats have evolved, ECOWAS, like other multinational bodies, needs updated capacities to meet new challenges. International democracies' most effective initiative to support West Africa's stability would be to partner with West Africans to strengthen their vital regional community. A similar strategy is valid across Africa.