I can't answer victor's question, but there are great economic andpolitical powers in the world; wouldn't they automatically try to influence every weaker/regional group they could?
Kenneth Harrow
517 803 8839
Emeritus Professor of English, Michigan State University
Harrow@msu/edu
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From: 'Emmanuel Udogu' via USA Africa Dialogue Series <usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Monday, January 29, 2024 3:14:26 PM
To: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com <usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [External] [SOCIAL NETWORK] Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - Mali-Niger-Burkina-Faso- leave Ecowas
Sent: Monday, January 29, 2024 3:14:26 PM
To: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com <usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [External] [SOCIAL NETWORK] Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - Mali-Niger-Burkina-Faso- leave Ecowas
Coincidentally, as I have often argued on this and other similar matters, "the law of self-cum-group interest frequently trumps rational judgments." This postulation explains why some leaders in ECOWAS commonly violate and ignore principles in their constitution that negate their self/group interests. I believe that it was former President George Weah of Liberia who not too long ago reminded his colleagues in the Union of this truism–when they were "righteously" pointing fingers at the "bloody" coup in Niger. The bottom line is that ECOWAS should concentrate on economic development in the region–its raison d'etre.
Ike Udogu
On Mon, Jan 29, 2024 at 1:05 PM Okey Iheduru <okeyiheduru@gmail.com> wrote:
Dear Victor:
My intervention wasn't meant to specifically address your inquiry. However, my take on your question is that the troika is playing on the emotions of ECOWAS community citizens who are understandably upset with domestic and regional/global institutions that have increasingly failed to deliver the promises in their founding documents or "founding principles" and public statements.
The increasing popular dissatisfaction with ECOWAS, in particular, often arises from the general misunderstanding of the role and factors that account for effectiveness or otherwise of international organizations, especially in an environment characterized by "extraverted development." The role of external influence, especially by the EU/European Commission, USA, France, Germany, the Nordic countries, etc., on ECOWAS activities is indisputable; however, the fact remains that international organizations are as "effective' as their member states want them to be. For instance, ECOWAS relies on 5% customs duties of member states for its They are essentially parasites on the organization; yet, they expect manna to fall from the sky.
Lastly, in terms of the alleged violation of ECOWAS's "founding principles," why is the kettle calling the pot black? The military junta in Mali, BF, and Niger are in trouble because they betrayed those 'founding principles" and practices that for a long time made ECOWAS "a force for good" and a model of regional approach to conflict management. Unquestionably, France has screwed its former colonies to death, especially Niger. Some of the changes the putschists have "announced" (different from implemented) in taking some control over their economies are long overdue. However, that doesn't mean we should perfunctorily assume that it's only military regimes that are capable of extricating Africa from the lengthening clutches and shadows of neo-colonialism. Military dictators are not Africa's saviors. They have never been!
On Mon, Jan 29, 2024 at 7:03 AM 'Victor Okafor' via USA Africa Dialogue Series <usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com> wrote:
Dear Okey Iheduru:If your response was meant to answer my question, my sense is that you did not address the question. So, let me repeat it below."Is there any merit in the troika's contention that "Furthermore, ECOWAS, under the influence of foreign powers, betraying its founding principles, has become a threat to its member states and its populations whose happiness it is supposed to ensure?""
On Mon, Jan 29, 2024 at 4:58 AM Okey Iheduru <okeyiheduru@gmail.com> wrote:
The junta driving Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger into the ditch are clearly insane. Per the ECOWAS revised treaty of 1993, it takes a minimum of one year for any member state to complete withdrawal from the bloc. Opting out of ECOWAS has serious implications for their cross-cutting and tangled membership in the UEMOA (Union economique et monetaire l'ouest Africaine -- the West African Economic and Monetary Union) whose currency, CFA Franc, is controlled by the French Treasury. This is especially true now that these mad men claim that they've kicked France out of their countries. More importantly, it looks like these power-drunk military officers have forgotten that they're land-locked countries whose economies are at the mercy of what goes on in Cotonou Port, Benin (for Niger), Tema Port, Ghana (for Burkina Faso), and Port Abidjan (for Mali). More than 90% of their imports and exports transit through these ports per arrangements based on UNCLOS III (the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea of 1983)! In addition, what would happen to their transboundary livestock trade (cattle, sheep/rams, and goats, etc.) which the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice (ECCJ) recently ruled could roam freely across West Africa under the ECOWAS protocols on free movement of goods and people, as well as residency? If not for ECOWAS's concerns for the economic consequences of its actions for the already impoverished hapless citizens of these countries and the leprous regime in Aso Villa, Abuja, the troika is the easiest member states to stifle into submission by ECOWAS.
I'm still hopeful that these knuckleheads will come back to their senses soon.
Okey Iheduru.
On Sun, Jan 28, 2024 at 4:01 PM 'Victor Okafor' via USA Africa Dialogue Series <usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com> wrote:
Is there any merit in the troika's contention that "Furthermore, ECOWAS, under the influence of foreign powers, betraying its founding principles, has become a threat to its member states and its populations whose happiness it is supposed to ensure?"
On Sun, Jan 28, 2024 at 3:53 PM Oluwatoyin Adepoju <ovdepoju@gmail.com> wrote:
what are the implications of this
--On Sun, 28 Jan 2024 at 16:48, Toyin Falola <toyinfalola@austin.utexas.edu> wrote:
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