With the restoration of democratic order in the Gambia in , the West African region regained the attention of the world with renewed hope and optimism for democratic consolidation in Africa. The practice of accessing political power through credible elections under the watch of civil society and international actors is progressively taking firm root across the region.
However, despite these democratic gains, the region is also witnessing setbacks in emerging political developments across Member States. This democracy backsliding portends political instability, and its attendant economic consequences for the ECOWAS is concerning considering the developmental agenda of the region. Central to this negative democratic trend are concerns around political reforms that have undermined electoral integrity, inclusiveness and legitimacy in Member States.
Ordinarily, political reforms are critical for enhancing democracy and inclusive socio-economic development. But in the recent past, a number of problematic political reforms were introduced.
These have favoured unconstitutional retention of power, on the one hand, and reforms that appear to be politically motivated and seek to exclude or disqualify key political opponents from contest, on the other hand. These constitutional reforms, which largely followed contentious processes, allowed incumbents to extend their term in power.
Today, the question of stability in West Africa is more prominent at regional, continental and global levels than it has ever been. ECOWAS and other international actors have called into question political reforms that have impacted governance dynamics and the sustainability of social, economic and political processes in the region. This is significant as the surge in instability came when the region, as in other parts of the world, witnessed the outbreak of the COVID pandemic.
