Gowon Urges West African Leaders to Defend Democracy as ECOWAS Marks 50th Anniversary

At the 50th anniversary celebration of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), former Nigerian Head of State General Yakubu Gowon delivered a stirring call for a renewed commitment to democracy, unity, and good governance across the region.

Gowon, one of the founding architects of ECOWAS in 1975, addressed regional leaders and dignitaries gathered in Lagos on Wednesday. While celebrating the historic milestones of the regional bloc, the retired general did not shy away from acknowledging the growing threats facing West Africa, including insecurity, political instability, youth unemployment, and economic volatility.

“Let us not forget the many challenges we have faced over the past 50 years — political crises, military coups, civil wars, economic shocks, pandemics, terrorism, and the shifting pressures of globalisation,” Gowon said. “Yet through it all, ECOWAS has endured. It has adapted, reformed, and stayed true to the founding ideals that bind us together.”

However, Gowon emphasised that the golden jubilee of ECOWAS should be more than a nostalgic moment — it should be a turning point. “Today is not only a day to celebrate the past, but also a moment to reflect on the present and chart the course for the future,” he said.

In a direct critique of recent political trends, Gowon expressed concern over the resurgence of military coups in the region — events many believed were relics of the past.

“We thought that era was behind us, but personal ambition still drives some to take undemocratic actions,” he lamented. “Let me say this clearly: belief in democracy is what I am now advising all members of ECOWAS and beyond. These setbacks must not define us.”

He urged leaders to recommit to ECOWAS’s core pillars: democracy, economic cooperation, regional solidarity, and inclusive governance.

Gowon also addressed the controversial withdrawal of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso from ECOWAS, following the bloc’s sanctions against their military-led governments. In January 2025, the three Sahelian nations formally cut ties with ECOWAS, citing what they described as unjust punitive measures and a lack of support following their respective coups.

Despite this, Gowon remains optimistic. “The bonds of history, culture, and shared destiny remain unbroken,” he said. “I am confident that with goodwill and sincere dialogue, these nations will find reasons to return.”

ECOWAS had earlier suspended each of the three countries following coups: Mali in 2021 after two successive takeovers; Burkina Faso in 2022 after the ousting of President Roch Kabore; and Niger in 2023, where President Mohamed Bazoum was deposed by his presidential guard under General Abdourahamane Tchiani.

As ECOWAS stands at a historic crossroads, Gowon’s message was clear: the future of West Africa hinges on its leaders’ willingness to rise above personal ambition, resist the pull of authoritarianism, and stand firm in their commitment to a democratic, prosperous, and unified region.