Регионалната интеграция в Западна Африка: предизвикателства и перспективи пред ЕКОВАС
Regional Integration in West Africa: Challenges and Prospects for ECOWAS

Author(s): Jivko Valkov
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, Politics, International relations/trade, Geopolitics
Published by: Университет за национално и световно стопанство (УНСС)
Keywords: ECOWAS; West Africa; regional integration; ethnic conflicts; international relations
Summary/Abstract: In the current system of international relations, reshaped by new forms of cooperation and coordination, conflicts continue to be an integral part of the world configuration. Despite the effects of globalization, shrinking the “size and distance”, specific zones such as West Africa, plagued by suchlike collisions remain rather on the periphery of international attention. The countries are characterized by their rich natural resources and their struggle to overcome poverty and economic backwardness.The colonial past still resonates in the region and its legacy is the cause of some ethnic conflicts as well as at the heart of the integration processes. In recent years, West Africa has experienced a specific dynamism in economic, social, and political transformations, stimulating the progress of regionalization. The last decades marked a period of growing interest in international partnerships and regional cooperation which even in some cases call into question the prevailing political concept of sovereignty enshrined in the Westphalian system of international relations. The paper focuses on the design and evolution of ECOWAS and its advances. As main obstacles are identified the financial difficulties and the fragile democratic governance in several countries. The analysis uses a complex methodology, to understand the ongoing events in West Africa and to try to clarify if the integrational course will prevail over the conflict mindset.

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