A Nigerian activist, Bishir Dauda, has embarked on a 50-day celebration road trip across West Africa to mark the 50th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Dauda, who is Executive Director of the Citizens Participation Against Corruption Initiatives, began his journey on April 1, arrived in Cotonou, Benin Republic, on Tuesday.
Founded on May 28, 1975, ECOWAS was established to promote economic integration and political unity with-in West African nations.
Upon arrival in Cotonou, Dauda made his first stop at the ECOWAS Resident Representative’s office, where he was received by officials. He later engaged in interactive discussions with representatives of activists, youth groups and citizens, focusing on ECOWAS’ five decades of accomplishments and hurdles.
During the interaction, citizens commended ECOWAS for tangible achievements, including free movement of persons and goods, harmonization of trade tariffs, tourism promotion, peacekeeping missions, humanitarian support, sporting events, and strengthening of democracy.
They also acknowledged the bloc’s efforts in crisis management, particularly in handling the recent withdrawal of some Sahel states from ECOWAS.
However, citizens raised concerns over persistent challenges facing the bloc, such as unconstitutional changes of government, illegal tenure elongation by some West African leaders, electoral fraud, breaches of ECOWAS treaties and protocols, weak governance, and inadequate funding.
