1. ECOWAS –Economic Community of West African States
Abhishek Banerjee

2. Basic History
Established in 1975 by the signing of the Treaty of Lagos
Development credited to Liberian President William Tubman.
In 1993, the treaty was revised to further accelerate economic development.

3. Purpose/Principles
Inter-State cooperation and meshing of programs and policies.
Non-aggression between Member States.
Maintaining regional peace and stability through good faith.

4. Purpose/Principles Peaceful settlement of disputes.
Protection of human rights in accordance with the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Democratic system in all member states
Equal distribution of the costs and benefits of joint economic ventures.

5. Leadership 3 branches – Executive, Legislative, Judicial.
The chairman controls all 3 branches.
The heads of state of member nations rotate this post yearly.

6. Executive The president of ECOWAS is appointed by the chairman.
Has a non-renewable term limit of 4 years.
1 vice president and 13 commissioners.

7. Legislature Community Parliament of 115 members.
Chosen from national parliaments based on prop. representation. 4 year terms.
Headed by the Speaker of Parliament.
Administrative head is called the Secretary General.

8. Judiciary Community Court of Justice.
Headed by a President, Vice-President and a Dean.
7 justices appointed out of a list of 2 from each nations judiciary. Chosen by chairman.

9. Community Court

10. Court Jurisdiction Failure to comply with ECOWAS law.
Interpretation and Application of ECOWAS laws.
Disputes between Community institutions.
Economic Liability of ECOWAS to others.
Human Rights Violations.
Legality of Community policies.

11. Membership
15 Member countries. Largest is Nigeria.

12. Advantages For Members
Trade liberalization and lost revenue compensation for weaker nations
Help in managing both intra and international conflicts.
Development of energy and power production sources and pathways.
Available court of justice to settle disputes fairly.

13. Peacekeeping troops

14. Disadvantages For Members
Countries need to use national budget to pay for ECOWAS membership. Countries already using foreign aid.
Loss of certain powers and sovereignty to ECOWAS.
Domestic problems can more easily spill over borders.

15. Domestic Threats

16. International Impact
ECOWAS and China signed a treaty in 2012 intended to increase aid to West African nations in return for trade and investment.
In 2014, the EU signed a free trade deal with ECOWAS. Liberalizing 75% of trade over 20 years.

17. China-ECOWAS