By: Fatou Krubally
The Edward Francis Small Centre for Rights and Justice (EFSCRJ) has sharply criticized the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) following what it described as a disappointing outcome from the 67th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State held on 22 June 2025 in Abuja, Nigeria.
In a public statement issued on Tuesday, EFSCRJ expressed alarm over what it called the “glaring omissions” in the final communiqué of the summit, particularly on pressing issues of democracy, security, and regional governance. The group argued that the ECOWAS leadership failed to address escalating human rights abuses, democratic backsliding, and unlawful leadership extensions across several member states.
“Given the complex challenges facing the region from military juntas and unconstitutional term extensions to global geopolitical shifts we find the outcome of the session dangerously inadequate,” the centre stated.
One major concern raised was ECOWAS’ silence on the U.S. travel restrictions affecting 13 of its 15 member states, including The Gambia, Nigeria, Ghana, and Senegal. EFSCRJ described the policy, introduced under U.S. President Donald Trump, as discriminatory and a violation of international law, urging ECOWAS to respond with a unified stance.
The group also condemned what it called ECOWAS’ “false optimism” regarding democratic governance in the region. It pointed to on-going abuses in countries like Guinea-Bissau, where President Umaro Sissoco Embaló remains in power despite his term officially ending in February. The statement cited reports of arbitrary arrests, disappearances, and violent repression of dissent in Bissau.
In Côte d’Ivoire, ECOWAS’ call for “peaceful and transparent” elections was seen by EFSCRJ as a tacit endorsement of President Alassane Ouattara’s controversial fourth-term bid and the exclusion of opposition figures such as Laurent Gbagbo.
The group also questioned ECOWAS’ praise for Togo’s President Faure Gnassingbé, accusing him of leading an “autocratic dynasty” and detaining protestors under harsh conditions. “To ignore the plight of the Togolese people is to condone misrule,” EFSCRJ warned.
Beyond internal issues, EFSCRJ criticized ECOWAS for not addressing major global developments including the return of Donald Trump to the White House, the Russia-Ukraine war, and the Gaza crisis which the group argued have direct implications for West Africa.
“The sub-region is at a crossroads. ECOWAS must rise to the moment with stronger leadership, clarity, and courage,” the statement concluded.
