Integration of the Peoples of West Africa

Edwin Daniel Ikhuoria—Considering the time lapse between the signing of the ECOWAS protocol in 1975 and today, and evaluating the reality of integration in the ECOWAS sub region, it will become obvious that measures taken in the past to achieve the fusion of the region need to be reviewed with a view to achieving a better model for regional integration in West Africa.

“Creativity” in the concept of regional integration in West Africa is the best word to describe the new vision of moving from an “ECOWAS of States to an ECOWAS of peoples” by the ECOWAS commission unveiled to civil society groups at the ECOWAS workshop for civil society and private sector groups in Ouagadougou, on 26 – 29th March, 2008.

The forum which was organized by the ECOWAS/UEMOA Commission in partnership with the EU had various levels of national representation from the member states as well as regional civil society and private Sector organizations and networks.

Prof. Bamba N. Lambert, the ECOWAS commissioner in charge of macroeconomic policies presented the new vision to participants at the workshop, giving detailed explanations on the proposed strategies for regional integration looking at the fusion of the people of the regional community rather than just political association of the States at the political level. He described the action points and deadline for achieving the objective of fusing the peoples of ECOWAS by the year 2020. He also emphasized the very important role of collaboration of West African civil society and the private sector with the commission to achieve this lofty objective.

Various reactions to salute the concept of fusing the people rather than the State were elicited from the participants at the workshop. However, it was pointed out that the usual top to bottom approach has been adopted in the visioning process, which has always created the stand aloof attitude of stakeholders in the integration processes of earlier initiatives. Participants called for a change in this visioning at the top before consultations with the grassroots as this will enhance participation and ownership at the grassroots rather than seeing it as a “hand down” from the commission.

The UEMOA commission also presented their approach for achieving the economic integration of francophone West Africa which produced significant results. UEMOA also gave some details of their budget needs and how they sourced and are still sourcing the funds for implementing the policies and framework created for regional economic fusion within French-speaking West Africa.

The UEMOA presentation was also applauded for its soundness in principles and the results achieved so far. The level of synergy between the broader ECOWAS and UEMOA was however called into question as the level of economic integration at the ECOWAS level is far from realized with particular highlights on the proposed single currency for the whole region which should have commenced by 2010 and is yet to be concluded. Some states are still embarking on huge currency reforms just at the threshold of adopting the single currency for the ECOWAS region. The Common External Tariff (CET) which has not been harmonized was also pointed out.

A presentation on the current status of negotiations of the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) with the European Union (EU) including details of the schedule of events leading to the signing of the EPA was made and the realities within ECOWAS highlighted. This was described as frustrating rather than helping the integration process considering the EU signing interim agreements with Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire while the negotiations were supposed to take place at the regional level. However, the current drive to achieve economic integration of member states in the process of signing an EPA was a good outcome of the negotiations. It was pointed out that ECOWAS must present a united front in negotiating with the EU as well as mobilize the vast human and material resources available within the region to create a formidable development content with which to engage the EU within the time span scheduled for the negotiations. The eventual conclusion of the regional EPA will supersede any earlier agreement with member countries.

In order to ensure the active and creative participation of civil society and the private sector, collectively called the Non State Actors (NSAs), in the regional integration processes by engaging the grassroots and mobilization of the people, various presentations on the observed structures, constraints and capacity needs of the NSAs were made in order to evaluate what needed to be done for better and more active engagements of the NSAs. Resource mobilization was highlighted as a major constraint as well as technical competence in analysis for effective lobbying and advocacy. The NSAs were therefore enjoined to make use of the opportunities provided for more effective delivery of programs stating their clear focus and achievable targets.

Having completed the analysis of the observed Non State Actors’ structures and capacities, the announcement of the availability of 2 million Euros under the 9th EDF ACP ROC 15 agreement with the European Union was made by ECOWAS, stating the broad themes and scope to be covered and defining the NSAs as enshrined in the Cotonou Agreement as well as calling for proposals. The very cumbersome process of the EU in relation to accessing funds for the Non State Actors Intervention was described by a European consultant via a 31 page proposal form and appendices to be completed by organizations who want to access these funds.

The cumbersome process was greatly criticized by NSAs as designed to disallow local NSAs from accessing the funds or actively engaging in the process of regional integration. ECOWAS was called to consider the local realities of NSAs’ capacities in designing the process of accessing funds. It was also made clear that ECOWAS should provide funding from sources other than the EU in order to facilitate active engagement of the NSAs if there is sincerity in the vision of integrating people at grassroots level. This however led to the formation of a platform for NSAs to interact with the ECOWAS consisting of nine region-wide organizations, which will design and submit its memoranda to the ECOWAS authorities for consideration.

A press conference to relay the messages of the on going processes of integration of people as well as the set up of funds for NSAs activities in this regard was held to end the workshop. It is hoped that these initiatives will lead to the desired, and crucial, integration for the region.

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