Activist Travels Across West Africa to Mark ECOWAS’ 50th Anniversary
By Mark Longyen
According to a recent report, Nigerian activist Bishir Dauda has embarked on a 50-day road journey across West Africa to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). On Tuesday, he arrived in Cotonou, Benin Republic, as part of his tour.
ECOWAS, which was established on May 28, 1975, aims to promote economic cooperation and political unity among its member states. The organization is set to mark its golden jubilee on May 28, 2025. To commemorate this milestone, Dauda set out on April 1 for a journey that will take him through various West African countries.
Upon his arrival in Cotonou, Dauda visited the ECOWAS Resident Representative’s office, where he was received by officials. He later engaged in discussions with activists, youth groups, and residents of Benin about ECOWAS’ achievements and challenges over the past five decades.
During these discussions, many citizens noted ECOWAS’ role in enhancing regional cooperation. They praised the organization for facilitating free movement of people and goods, harmonizing trade policies, supporting tourism, organizing sports events, and providing humanitarian aid. They also acknowledged ECOWAS’ contributions to peacekeeping, democratic governance, and crisis management, particularly in the Sahel region, where some member states have recently withdrawn from the bloc.
However, concerns were raised about persistent challenges facing ECOWAS. Citizens pointed out issues such as unconstitutional changes of government, electoral fraud, and the extension of presidential terms by some leaders. They also criticized the slow progress on the introduction of a common regional currency, the ECO, and the influence of external powers on West African affairs.
“The people recommended that ECOWAS should continue to pursue policies and programs that will strengthen unity and cooperation amongst its member states,” Dauda stated.
Citizens also urged ECOWAS to fulfill its promise of launching the ECO currency by 2027 and to maintain diplomatic engagement with Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, encouraging them to reconsider their decision to leave the bloc. Additionally, they called for more initiatives focused on youth, women, and people with disabilities.
Security was another major concern, with many residents advocating for the full operationalization of the ECOWAS Standby Force to address terrorism, insurgencies, and armed conflicts. Infrastructure projects such as the Lagos-Abidjan Highway and the West African Power Pool were also widely supported.
“The community citizens have underscored the imperative of maintaining peace and enjoined stakeholders in West Africa to be ambassadors of peace,” Dauda added.
He noted that despite ECOWAS’ challenges, its achievements over the past 50 years motivated him to embark on this journey. As he continues his travels across the region, Dauda remains committed to raising awareness about the importance of regional unity, peace, and goo
d governance.
