In this study, the author examines the extent to which geopolitics in West Africa affect the overall implementation of the 2013 ECTS. The study adopted the qualitative case study design to enable the researcher elicit in-depth information for the analysis by engaging few security experts in face-to-face interviews. Official ECOWAS archival records (such as protocols, treaties, and communiques) will also be sourced. The paper suggests that harmonization of efforts and resources, strong political will and community spirit by ECOWAS member states will be the only way to go for sustained implementation of the 2013 ECTS in particular, and in building robust collective security in West Africa in general.
The ECOWAS Counter Terrorism Strategy (ECTS) was adopted in February 2013 by the Authority of Heads of State and Government to address the militant crisis in the region. But, for half a decade years after its approval, no significant efforts and progress are made in its overall implementation. Available evidence in the extant literature reveals that a combination of factors, including political tension among and within member states, funding and technical capacity limitations, and external factors, continues to undermine its implementation. It must be said that the kind of politics in the region have often been blamed for the ‘non-implementation syndrome’ of major ECOWAS initiatives at the national level.
Table of Contents
1.0 INTRODUCTION
2.0 METHODOLOGY
3.0 THE NATURE OF GEOPOLITICS IN WEST AFRICA
3.1 The Concept of Geopolitics
3.2 Modern Conception of Geopolitics
3.3 The Nature of Geopolitics in West Africa
4.0 GEOPOLITICS AND [NON‐] IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ECTS
5.0 CONCLUSION
Research Objectives and Core Themes
This paper examines the extent to which geopolitical factors in West Africa have impeded or influenced the implementation of the 2013 ECOWAS Counter Terrorism Strategy (ECTS), arguing that systemic political and structural issues contribute to a consistent "non-implementation syndrome" across the region.
- The influence of regional geopolitics on security policy execution.
- Political challenges including the Francophone-Anglophone divide and national sovereignty concerns.
- The impact of institutional capacity gaps and funding limitations on regional initiatives.
- The role of external development patrons in shaping regional security approaches.
- Challenges associated with consensus-based decision-making within ECOWAS.
Excerpt from the Book
3.3 The Nature of Geopolitics in West Africa
West Africa remains one of the dynamic and hostile regions in Africa (ICG, 2016). Certain geographical factors continue to undermine state and human security in the region. For example, the closeness, fragility and porous nature of member states’ borders and, the surrounded volatile neighbouring regions result in spill-over of any conflict and or insecurity problems. Condition of insecurity in one neighbouring country and or region may easily become the problem of the rest as they are likely to be affected by the situation either directly or indirectly.
West Africa fits Burry Buzan’s concept of security complex - “… a set of states whose major security perceptions and concerns are closely connected that their national security problems cannot be reasonably analyzed in isolation of the rests” (Ronnback, 2008: 7; Uzoechina, 2014; Aidoo, 2018). For example, the Malian militant crisis has had serious implication for Burkina Faso, Niger, and Cote d’Ivoire’s internal security. Again, what is happening in neighbouring North African countries - such as Algeria and Libya continue to affect Mali’s internal security in particular, and the West African sub-region at large (Caparini, 2015; Haysom, 2014; ECOWAS Commission, 2015a).
National interest calculus, loyalties and historical ties among member states and dependence on extra-regional development patrons is another crucial geopolitical feature of West Africa. These affect their willingness to cooperate and inform relations of good neighbourliness. Since the 1990s, members’ decision to contribute troops and other resources to resolve any conflict in the region and whether or not they will support any major collective security intervention in neighbouring states at all have often been informed largely by historical political, economic and socio-cultural ties, economic and security interests, power relations or relationship between governments of empathy and animosity between heads of states. Thus, there have usually been selective ability to take collective action in the region (Elowson & McDermott, 2010; Bossuyt, 2016; ICG, 2016; Aidoo, 2018).
Summary of Chapters
1.0 INTRODUCTION: Discusses the rising security threats in West Africa, specifically the surge of militant groups, and introduces the 2013 ECOWAS Counter Terrorism Strategy (ECTS) as a response that has largely failed to achieve meaningful implementation.
2.0 METHODOLOGY: Outlines the qualitative case study approach used, utilizing primary data from official ECOWAS records and expert interviews, alongside secondary research from academic and electronic sources.
3.0 THE NATURE OF GEOPOLITICS IN WEST AFRICA: Explores the theoretical concept of geopolitics and provides a detailed analysis of the geographical, historical, and political features that define the hostile security environment in West Africa.
4.0 GEOPOLITICS AND [NON‐] IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ECTS: Analyzes the specific political and structural factors—such as the quota system, language barriers, and national interest calculations—that hinder the practical application of the ECTS.
5.0 CONCLUSION: Synthesizes the findings and argues for enhanced regional cooperation and a unified West African security framework to overcome the current cycle of instability and policy failure.
Keywords
West Africa, ECOWAS, Counter Terrorism Strategy, ECTS, Geopolitics, Security, Militancy, Non-implementation, Regional integration, Collective security, Sovereignty, Political tension, Capacity gaps, Governance, Policy harmonization
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper investigates the reasons behind the "non-implementation syndrome" of the 2013 ECOWAS Counter Terrorism Strategy, specifically analyzing how regional geopolitics affect the operational success of this security framework.
What are the primary themes addressed in the study?
Key themes include the impact of political divisions, the role of national sovereignty versus regional collective security, the effect of colonial-era language and socio-cultural barriers, and the dependency on external development patrons.
What is the main objective of the research?
The primary objective is to determine to what extent and in what ways geopolitics within West Africa have stalled the implementation of the 2013 ECTS, providing insight into the disconnect between policy formulation and practical execution.
Which scientific methodology is employed?
The study utilizes a qualitative case study research design, incorporating thematic content analysis of official ECOWAS archival records and insights gained from face-to-face interviews with international relations and security experts.
What does the main body of the work examine?
The main body covers the conceptual framework of geopolitics, the specific geopolitical vulnerabilities of West Africa (such as porous borders and resource competition), and an analysis of structural obstacles within ECOWAS, including quota systems and consensus-building processes.
Which keywords characterize this academic work?
The work is characterized by terms such as West Africa, ECOWAS, Counter Terrorism Strategy, geopolitics, security, militancy, non-implementation, and collective security.
How does the Francophone-Anglophone divide affect regional security?
The study identifies this divide as a major political contributor to regional deadlock, noting that it creates suspicion and undermines the willingness of member states to cooperate effectively on collective security missions.
What role does the "Nigerian factor" play in this context?
Nigeria is identified as the de facto hegemon and primary financier of ECOWAS interventions, but its current focus on internal democratization, economic challenges, and domestic security issues has made the nation more inward-looking, which in turn impacts regional support.
Why do member states often fail to implement the 2013 ECTS?
Failure is attributed to a mix of factors including financial and capacity gaps, the politicization of selection processes, national interest calculations that override regional concerns, and a reliance on external aid instead of domestic investment.
- Quote paper
- Gilbert Aidoo Arhinful (Author), 2019, Geopolitics and (Non-)Implementation of the 2013 ECOWAS Counter Terrorism Strategy, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/506336
