ECOWAS @50: Activist’s 50-Day Road Trip Reaches Cotonou
Nigerian activist Bishir Dauda, who embarked on a 50-day road trip across West Africa to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), arrived in Cotonou, Benin Republic, on Tuesday.
ECOWAS, established on May 28, 1975, to promote regional economic integration and political unity, will mark its golden jubilee on May 28, 2025. Dauda described his journey, which began on April 1, as a unique way to celebrate the milestone.
Upon arrival in Cotonou, Dauda visited the ECOWAS Resident Representative’s office, where he was received by officials. He later engaged in discussions with activists, youth groups, and residents on the organization’s achievements and challenges over the past five decades.
“People commended ECOWAS for facilitating free movement of persons and goods, harmonizing trade tariffs, boosting tourism, organizing sporting events, providing humanitarian support, conducting peacekeeping missions, and strengthening democracy and governance,” Dauda stated.
However, Beninese citizens also highlighted key concerns, including unconstitutional changes of government, illegal tenure extensions by some leaders, electoral fraud, breaches of ECOWAS treaties, weak governance, external interference, and inadequate funding. The delayed adoption of the ECOWAS common currency (ECO) was another major concern.
“The citizens urged ECOWAS to ensure the launch of the ECO by 2027 and continue diplomatic efforts to reintegrate Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, which recently withdrew from the bloc,” he added.
Additionally, citizens called for stronger enforcement of ECOWAS’ democracy and governance protocols, the development of more programs for youth, women, and persons with disabilities, and the full operationalization of the ECOWAS Standby Force to address security threats like terrorism and armed conflicts.
Support was also expressed for large-scale projects such as the Lagos-Abidjan Highway and the West African Power Pool, which are expected to boost economic and infrastructural development in the region.
“The people emphasized the need for sustained peace and democratic governance, where citizens can freely elect or remove their leaders,” Dauda noted.
Dauda, who serves as the Executive Director of Citizens Participation Against Corruption Initiatives, said ECOWAS’ achievements over 50 years, despite numerous challenges, inspired him to undertake the solidarity journey.
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