Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

What is ECOWAS:

• The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is a collective of West African countries.
• Established in 1975 through the Lagos Treaty.
• Headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria.

Member States:

• ECOWAS comprises 15 member states: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Senegal, and Togo.

Main Goals and Objectives:

• Aims for economic collaboration, cooperation, and development. 

• Aspire for   democracy, rule of law, and good governance.
• Address security and political challenges collectively, seeking solutions to conflicts. 

Why in News:

• ECOWAS is gaining international attention for its involvement in addressing the aftermath of the Niger coup.