ECOWAS unity put to test as West African coup crisis deepens

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Committee of Chiefs of Defense Staff gather as they deliberate in Abuja, Nigeria, on the political unrest in Niger, Aug. 2, 2023. [AFP]

A series of coups in Western Africa is putting the unity and capability of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, to the test as it seeks to restore civilian rule in countries such as Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali and Niger.

These four nations have joined forces to resist economic sanctions and potential military action by the other 11 countries within the bloc.