ECOWAS and Military Interventions and Political Instability in West Africa: The Burkina Faso Experience

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), established in 1975, has evolved from a regional economic bloc into a central actor in peace and security within West Africa. This paper examines ECOWAS's effectiveness in addressing political instability through military interventions, with a particular focus on Burkina Faso. The study situates ECOWAS’s actions within its institutional frameworks, notably the 1999 Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management, Resolution, Peacekeeping and Security, and the 2001 Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance. Despite its strong normative stance against unconstitutional changes of government, ECOWAS’s interventions in Burkina Faso highlight critical strengths and weaknesses. On the one hand, suspensions, sanctions, and diplomatic mediation signal its commitment to democratic norms; on the other hand, limited enforcement capacity, internal divisions, and reliance on external partners undermine credibility and long-term impact. The resurgence of coups in Burkina Faso demonstrates the persistent challenges of governance deficits, citizen discontent, and regional insecurity. Findings suggest that while ECOWAS interventions can produce tactical successes, sustainable stability requires deeper institutional reforms, consistent rule enforcement, and stronger integration of security measures with democratic consolidation. The paper concludes with policy recommendations to enhance ECOWAS’s legitimacy, coherence, and effectiveness in safeguarding regional peace.