West Africa’s path forward: Unity through dialogue, not division

President John Dramani Mahama’s recent admonition that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) must rebuild trust and prioritise dialogue over confrontation is a message that cannot be ignored. 

His warning comes at a critical juncture for the region, where political instability, military coups and rising geopolitical tensions threaten to undo decades of progress.

West Africa stands at a crossroads: one path leads to deeper fragmentation, while the other offers the promise of renewed unity and shared prosperity.

The choice must be clear.  
ECOWAS was founded on the noble vision of fostering economic integration, peace and democratic governance across West Africa.

Yet, in recent years, the bloc’s approach to crisis, particularly its reliance on sanctions and threats of force, has often deepened divisions rather than healed them. 

The withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger to form the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) is a painful reminder of this failure.

Instead of isolating these nations, ECOWAS should have engaged them with a mix of principled firmness and open dialogue.

The result of this rift is a weakened regional bloc and diminished collective security.  

If ECOWAS is to remain relevant, it must learn from these examples and shift from punitive measures to constructive engagement.  

The potential for West African unity is immense. A fully integrated ECOWAS could harness the strengths of its member states—Nigeria’s economic power, Ghana’s democratic stability, Côte d'Ivoire’s agricultural wealth, and Senegal’s innovation—to create a formidable force in global trade, security and diplomacy. Instead, petty disagreements, ideological posturing, and a lack of meaningful dialogue have stalled progress.

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), headquartered in Accra, presents a golden opportunity for West Africa to lead continental commerce but internal divisions risk undermining this promise.  

Beyond economics, the region’s security challenges, from jihadist insurgencies in the Sahel to piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, demand a united front.

Fractured alliances only embolden extremist groups and external actors who exploit regional discord.

If ECOWAS cannot reconcile with its estranged members, the entire region will remain vulnerable.  

President Mahama is right: the future of West Africa depends on rebuilding trust. ECOWAS must adopt a more flexible and inclusive approach, recognising that while democratic governance is non-negotiable, the path to restoring constitutional rule may require patience and diplomacy.

The bloc should establish structured dialogue with transitional governments, offering incentives for democratic reforms rather than ultimatums that push them further away.  

The Daily Graphic urges ECOWAS leaders to rise above short-term political calculations and embrace the long-term vision of regional solidarity.

The bloc’s credibility hinges not on the strength of its sanctions but on its ability to foster genuine dialogue. 

Leaders must remember that their mandate is to serve the people of West Africa—not to entrench divisions that only weaken collective security and prosperity.

The time for statesmanship is now.  

We also urge ECOWAS to reflect on its recent missteps and adopt a more nuanced approach to crisis resolution.

Heavy-handed measures have only driven member states away, while diplomacy, when applied with patience and sincerity, has historically yielded better results. 

The bloc must not repeat the errors of isolationism but instead work tirelessly to rebuild bridges with Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.

Reconciliation, not retaliation, must guide its actions.  

The Daily Graphic calls on West Africa’s civil society organisations, religious leaders, and media to play a more active role in fostering regional harmony.

The press, in particular, must amplify voices of reason and hold leaders accountable for divisive rhetoric.

ECOWAS cannot succeed in its mission without the support of an engaged citizenry demanding unity over discord.

Together, we must champion dialogue as the surest path to a stable and prosperous West Africa.