ANALYSIS OF LEGAL FRAMEWORK OF ECOWAS MECHANISM FOR CONFLICT PREVENTION, MANAGEMENT, RESOLUTION, PEACE-KEEPING AND SECURITY IN WEST AFRICA

Abstract

The work analyses the Legal Framework of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) mechanism for conflict prevention, management, resolution, peace-keeping and security and highlights the circumstances which led to its adoption. It also assesses the achievements and challenges of the mechanism. The study observed that the mechanism has been able to address major challenges ECOWAS encountered in its pre-mechanism peace-keeping, such as the capacity of ECOWAS to assume responsibility for mutual security, mode of troop contributions, pre-financing of peace-keeping and clarification of conditions under which interventions in the internal affairs of member state are permissible. The mechanism has been successfully used by the community to intervene and mediate in conflicts in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea Bissau, Cote D’ Ivoire, Togo and more recently, Mali. However, there are inadequate resources and financial commitment by member states to man and finance the mechanism. It is therefore recommended that there should be consistent implementation of the community levy protocol and mechanisms by member states so as to provide the ECOWAS with the requisite funds to meet its financial obligations under the mechanism.