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84-566: The project began in 1982, when the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) proposed the development of a natural gas pipeline throughout West Africa. In 1991, a feasibility report conducted by the World Bank on supplying Nigerian gas to West African markets deemed that a project was commercially viable. In September 1995, the governments of four African countries signed a Heads of State Agreement. The feasibility study

168-453: A central government or coordinated in some sort of organization. In a federalised system, the constituent entities usually have internal autonomy , for example in the setup of police departments , and share power with the federal government, for whom external sovereignty , military forces , and foreign affairs are usually reserved. The union is recognised internationally as a single political entity. A political union may also be called

252-423: A military coup took place in the country. Sanctions were placed on both countries on 16 September. On 10 January 2022, Mali announced its decision to close its borders and recalled several ambassadors with ECOWAS in response to sanctions imposed for deferring elections for four years. On 28 January 2022, Burkina Faso was suspended from ECOWAS following a military coup . Niger was suspended from ECOWAS after

336-735: A barrier towards gaining reliable travel statistics. For example, Francophone countries in the region have issued national identity cards that can be used similarly to a passport. These cards permit citizens to cross borders after presenting their identity cards. However, Anglophone countries have only just begun distributing a similar form of identification. Consequently, immigration officials in Anglophone countries commonly reject Francophone national identity cards and do not permit Francophone citizens to cross into their borders. Further, these structural barriers are exasperated between different social classes. Middle-class individuals typically experience

420-621: A delineation of states that are able to ensure preservation of interests: there has to be some mutually beneficial reasoning behind the formal or informal preservation of interests. In the Union creating the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in 1801, no such guarantee was given for the laws and courts of the Kingdom of Ireland , though they were continued as a matter of practice. The informal recognition of such interests represents

504-467: A federated unit of another existing state, the former continuing its legal existence. The new federated state thus ceases to be a state in international law but retains its legal existence in domestic law, subsidiary to the federal authority. Prominent historical federal annexations include: The unification of Italy involved a mixture of unions. The kingdom consolidated around the Kingdom of Sardinia , with which several states voluntarily united to form

588-618: A former Portuguese colony , became the organisation's eighth (and only non- francophone ) member state. UEMOA is a customs union and currency union between the members of ECOWAS. Its objectives include: Among its achievements, the UEMOA has successfully implemented macro-economic convergence criteria and an effective surveillance mechanism. It has adopted a customs union and common external tariff and has combined indirect taxation regulations, in addition to initiating regional structural and sectoral policies. A September 2002 IMF survey cited

672-482: A full legislative union and a federation . In his 1839 Report , in discussing the proposed union of Upper and Lower Canada , he says: Two kinds of union have been proposed – federal and legislative. By the first, the separate legislature of each province would be preserved in its present form and retain almost all its present attributes of internal legislation, the federal legislature exercising no power save in those matters which may have been expressly ceded to it by

756-588: A guarantee was given for the continuance of laws and of the Estates of Brittany (a guarantee revoked in 1789 at the French Revolution ). The assurance that institutions are preserved in a union of states can also occur as states realize that, whilst a power imbalance exists (such as between the economic conditions of Scotland and England prior to the Acts of Union 1707 ), it is not so great that it precludes

840-485: A harmonized African wrestling code. The Community, through the EYSDC, also organized 2 editions of ECOWAS International Cycling tour, taking close to 100 riders from all member states, from Lagos to Accra and then from Lagos to Abidjan . In addition to the sports and well-being objective of the tour, the race also served to demonstrate and put into practice ECOWAS protocol on free movement of goods and persons. In 2019,

924-410: A legislative union or state union. A union may be effected in many forms, broadly categorized as: In an incorporating union a new state is created, the former states being entirely dissolved into the new state (although some aspects may be preserved; see below ). Incorporating unions have been present throughout much of history, such as when: Nevertheless, a full incorporating union may preserve

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1008-724: A military alliance, the Alliance of Sahel States , following ECOWAS's threat to intervene to restore civilian rule in Niger. On 21 November 2023, Niger's military government asked the ECOWAS regional court to order the lifting of sanctions imposed on the country. Until the coup, aid from countries like the United States and international organizations like ECOWAS accounted for almost half of Niger's annual budget. Following Niger's ECOWAS suspension, Niger's neighbours closed their borders to

1092-613: A more integrated use of digital technology. As of March 2023, Council members mentioned that phases one and two of the Ecotour Action Plan have come to an end and that the community is moving into phase three and four, which focuses on the development of tourist accommodations establishments, and a proposal for a regional mechanism to enforce tourist regulations. By the end of phase five, ECOWAS hopes to have unified accommodations in hotels, ecolodges, motels, apart hotels , and hostels. In April 2023, tourism experts met to amend

1176-404: A political crisis and to get the attention of the citizens toward the unification's necessity is in the hands of the elites. Despite it being quite rare, in some cases it works (see Old Swiss Confederacy and the confederation of the United States ), while in most of the cases it turns to be a failure or leads to a forced unification (Italy, URSS) where the unified states are deeply unequal. From

1260-579: A realist perspective, small states can unify in order to face strong states or to conquer weak ones. One of the reasons to seek unification to a stronger state besides a common threat can be a situation of negligence or ignorance on behalf of the weak state which is, to simplify it, desperate and almost derelict. According to a 1975 study by University of Rochester political scientist William Riker , unions were motivated by security threats. According to Ryan Griffiths, all instances of mutually wilful unification from 1816 onwards were between states that spoke

1344-661: A return to civilian rule. ECOWAS consists of two operating institutions to implement policies: the ECOWAS Commission and the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) – formerly known as the Fund for Cooperation, until it was renamed in 2001. In addition, ECOWAS includes the following institutions: ECOWAS Commission, Community Court of Justice, Community Parliament, ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID), West African Health Organisation (WAHO), and

1428-405: A separate body of Scottish law distinct from English law . In an incorporating annexation a state or states is united to and dissolved in an existing state, whose legal existence continues. Annexation may be voluntary or, more frequently, by conquest. Incorporating annexations have occurred at various points in history, such as when: Federal annexation occurs when a unitary state becomes

1512-516: A single large trade bloc by building a full economic and trading union. Additionally, ECOWAS aims to raise living standards and promote economic development . The union was established on 28 May 1975, with the signing of the Treaty of Lagos , with its stated mission to promote economic integration across the region. A revised version of the treaty was agreed and signed on 24 July 1993 in Cotonou ,

1596-418: A smoother border-crossing process than working-class individuals and impoverished citizens who do not have travel documents and are not fluent in the language of the countries they are crossing into. A Trans-ECOWAS project, established in 2007, plans to upgrade railways in this zone. In 2019, ECOWAS unveiled its Ecotour Action Plan 2019 – 2029. It focuses on tourism heritage protection and development and on

1680-412: Is a group of six countries within ECOWAS that plan to introduce a common currency called the eco . The six member states of WAMZ are Gambia , Ghana , Guinea , Nigeria and Sierra Leone who founded the organisation together in 2000 and Liberia who joined on 16 February 2010. Apart from Guinea, which is francophone, they are all English-speaking countries. Along with Mauritania , Guinea opted out of

1764-450: Is a regional political and economic union of fifteen countries of West Africa . Collectively, the countries comprise an area of 5,114,162 km (1,974,589 sq mi) and have an estimated population of over 424.34 million. Considered one of the pillar regional blocs of the continent-wide African Economic Community (AEC), the stated goal of ECOWAS is to achieve "collective self-sufficiency " for its member states by creating

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1848-410: Is a type of political entity which is composed of, or created from, smaller polities, or the process which achieves this. These smaller polities are usually called federated states and federal territories in a federal government ; and prefectures , regions , or provinces in the case of a centralised government . This form of government may be created through voluntary and mutual cession and

1932-528: Is an organisation of eight, mainly francophone West African states within ECOWAS, previously colonies of French West Africa . It was established to promote economic integration among countries that share the CFA franc as a common currency. UEMOA was created by a Treaty signed at Dakar , Senegal, on 10 January 1994, by the heads of state and governments of Benin , Burkina Faso , Ivory Coast , Mali , Niger , Senegal , and Togo . On 2 May 1997, Guinea-Bissau ,

2016-435: Is described as unionism by its constituent members and proponents. In other cases, it may arise from political unification , characterised by coercion and conquest . The unification of separate states which, in the past, had together constituted a single entity is known as reunification . Unlike a personal union or real union , the individual constituent entities may have devolution of powers but are subordinate to

2100-506: Is to provide mutual defense, pool resources to build energy and communications infrastructure, establish a common market , implement a monetary union under proposed currency the Sahel , allow free movement of persons , enable industrialization , and invest in agriculture, mines and energy sectors, with the end goal of federalizing into a single sovereign state . The move is seen as a strong move away from ECOWAS, which has been pressing for

2184-686: The 2012 ECOWAS Games and the Miss CEDEAO beauty pageant . The Community Heads of State and Government adopted African Traditional Wrestling as the Community sport, and through its specialised agency in charge of youth and sports development, the Ouagadougou -based ECOWAS Youth and Sports Development Centre (EYSDC), has consistently organised the yearly ECOWAS African Wrestling Tournament mainly in Dakar (Senegal) and Niamey (Niger) based on

2268-549: The 2023 coup d'état and threatened with military intervention if President Mohamed Bazoum is not restored to office, causing the Nigerien crisis. Additionally, ECOWAS closed all land and air borders between other member states and Niger and instituted a no-fly zone on all commercial flights to and from Niger. The suspension removed all commercial and financial transactions and froze Niger's assets in ECOWAS central banks. On 16 September 2023, Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso formed

2352-574: The CFA franc currency shared by all other former French colonies in West and Central Africa . The WAMZ attempts to establish a strong stable currency to rival the CFA franc, whose exchange rate is tied to that of the euro and is guaranteed by the French Treasury . The eventual goal is for the CFA franc and eco to merge, giving all of West and Central Africa a single, stable currency. The launch of

2436-521: The Kingdom of Italy . Others polities, such as the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies and the Papal States , were conquered and annexed. Formally, the union in each territory was sanctioned by a popular referendum where people were formally asked if they agreed to have as their new ruler Vittorio Emanuele II of Sardinia and his legitimate heirs. The unification of Germany began in earnest when

2520-649: The Kingdom of Prussia annexed numerous petty states in 1866. In addition to regional movements, supranational and continental unions that promote progressive integration between its members started appearing in the second half of the 20th century, first by the European Union (EU). Other examples of such unions include the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum , and

2604-573: The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency provided a $ 75 million political risk guarantee for WAGPo as a whole. The pipeline is owned by West African Gas Pipeline Company Limited (WAGPCo), a consortium of Chevron (36.7%), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (25%), Royal Dutch Shell (18%), Volta River Authority of Ghana (16.3%), Société Togolaise de Gaz (SoToGaz - 2%) and Société Beninoise de Gaz S.A. (SoBeGaz - 2%). The managing director of

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2688-687: The Pacific Islands Forum . The political position of the United Kingdom is often discussed, as well as former states like Serbia and Montenegro (2003–2006), the Soviet Union (1922–1991) and the United Arab Republic (1958–1961). Lord Durham was widely regarded as one of the most important thinkers in the history of the British Empire 's constitutional evolution. He articulated the difference between

2772-481: The 2010 decade; the best performance was recorded by Côte d'Ivoire (annual growth rate of 6.72%) and the lowest one by Guinea Bissau (3.85%). However, positive progress has been made in economic distribution since the foundation of WAMEU, with the mean dispersion of economic growth in the region being 1.26 before the creation and 0.73 after. Formed in 2000, the West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ)

2856-452: The 90-day visa-free window enhanced human mobility in the region, creating positive impacts on trade and economic development. In December 2000, the ECOWAS passport was introduced as a common passport that functions as an international travel document, and member states are currently in the process of implementing a joint visa for non-ECOWAS citizens. Additionally, ECOWAS has worked to ease

2940-624: The ECOWAS Commission's Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, pointed out the improvements in the tourist sector due to the African Continental Free Trade Area , a trade agreement signed by 44 members of the African Union which creates a single market for goods and services. Mrs. Toure-Liste praised the trade area for providing development opportunities, economic growth, and boosting regional integration. Political union A political union

3024-823: The ECOWAS region a first-class tourist destination in Africa. During its creation, ECOWAS ministers also called on ecotourism programs to protect threatened biodiversity in the Guinean Forests , which span into seven ECOWAS member states. Similar to the Free Movement of People Protocol, Ecotour aims to integrate aviation and ground transportation. ECOWAS hopes that this regional approach will allow states to fight against pandemics such as COVID-19 to restore tourism and ecosystems. Ecotour works to create increasing returns to its members' economies by lowering transport costs, developing hospitality training centers and creating

3108-489: The EYSDC instituted ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon. The first edition brought together international marathoners from West Africa, Kenya , Ethiopia and Cameroon . Similarly, the Community, through its specialised agency, promotes regional sports development by offering sponsorship to regional sports federations and specialized disciplines such as the West African Deaf Sports Union (WADSU),

3192-668: The Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing in West Africa (GIABA). ECOWAS includes two sub-regional blocks: ECOWAS operates in three co-official languages—French, English, and Portuguese. ECOWAS nations assigned a non-aggression protocol in 1990 along with two earlier agreements in 1978 and 1981. They also signed a Protocol on Mutual Defence Assistance in Freetown, Sierra Leone, on 29 May 1981, that provided for

3276-497: The Nigerien government is not recognized by ECOWAS and therefore does not have the power to ask the regional court for a removal of these sanctions. On 28 January 2024, Niger , Mali , and Burkina Faso announced via a joint statement that they were withdrawing from ECOWAS "without delay". The three nations, all of which are currently ruled by military juntas, accused ECOWAS of implementing "inhumane" sanctions in order to reverse

3360-603: The Revised Treaty. It also provides ECOWAS Council with advisory opinions on legal issues (Article 10). Like its companion courts, the European Court of Human Rights and East African Court of Justice , it has jurisdiction to rule on fundamental human rights breaches. ECOWAS nations organise a broad array of cultural and sports events under the auspices of the body, including the CEDEAO Cup in football ,

3444-419: The UEMOA as "the furthest along the path toward integration" of all the regional groupings in Africa. ECOWAS and UEMOA have developed a common plan of action on trade liberalisation and macroeconomic policy convergence. The organizations have also agreed on common rules of origin to enhance trade, and ECOWAS has agreed to adopt UEMOA's customs declaration forms and compensation mechanisms. However, within

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3528-629: The West African Gas Pipeline was damaged when pirates who had tried to board an oil tanker in an attempt to get away from the pursuing Togolese Navy, severely damaged the pipeline with their anchor. For nearly a year, the supply of gas to Ghana, Togo and Benin ceased, causing major power supply problems to the affected countries. Economic Community of West African States The Economic Community of West African States ( ECOWAS ; also known as CEDEAO in French and Portuguese)

3612-846: The West African Liaison Office of the International Council for Military Sports (WALO-CISM), the Region 2 of the African Athletics Federation, and the West African University Games (WAUG), among others. The ECOWAS Youth Policy Strategic Plan of Action (SPAO) is a 10-year plan that aims to promote youth development and empowerment in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The SPAO

3696-545: The ability of concessions to be made. The Treaty of Union for creating the unified Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707 contained a guarantee of the continuance of the civil laws and the existing courts in Scotland (a continuing guarantee), which was significant for both parties. The Scottish, despite economic troubles during the Seven Ill Years preceding the union, still had remaining negotiating power. This marks

3780-433: The bloc's member countries at times of political instability and unrest. ECOWAS facilitates peacekeeping through systematic collaboration with civil society, cooperation with development policies, and other activities with the goal to meet sub-regional security challenges. It has played an important role in monitoring transitional election in West Africa, and these mediation efforts have even been recognized within and outside

3864-604: The bloc. The countries had earlier been suspended from ECOWAS due to military takeovers of their respective governments . In December 2024, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) meets in conclave, at a meeting of the heads of state of the member countries, ECOWAS, must change its final decision regarding the withdrawal of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, united under the AES. Upon its foundation, ECOWAS had 15 member states: eight French -speaking, five English-speaking, and two Portuguese -speaking. All current members joined

3948-485: The capacity is 5 billion cubic meter (bcm) of natural gas per year. The pipeline was constructed by Willbros, with Bredero Shaw Ltd applying a concrete coating to the pipeline at its facility in Tema, Ghana. The pre-commissioning services were provided by BJ Process and Pipeline Services. The total pipeline costs around US$ 974 million, for which the World Bank provided a guarantee of $ 50 million for Ghana, while

4032-645: The case of Mali, removed French as an official language. However, the group has been cited for mild and ineffective responses in the early 2020s, when three member countries experienced military coups d'état – two in Mali, one in Guinea, and two in Burkina Faso. When a fourth member, Niger, experienced a coup d'état in July 2023 , ECOWAS was vocal in its condemnation and raised the possibility of military action if

4116-612: The community as founding members in May 1975, except Cape Verde which joined in 1977. Morocco officially requested to join ECOWAS in February 2017. The application was endorsed in principle at the Summit of Heads of State in June 2017. However, Morocco's bid for membership was stalled as West African economic actors feared goods imported through Morocco's free trade agreements would flood

4200-845: The company is Walter Perez. It is operated by Chevron Corporation. In Ghana, provided gas was intended for the Takoradi Power Station at Aboadze near Takoradi , operated by Volta River Authority and the Takoradi International Company's (TICO). As of 2014, however, most of the gas was being consumed in Lagos. Environmental group Friends of the Earth has criticized the project, after local communities in Nigeria complained it would damage land, destroy livelihoods and pollute fishing areas. On 27 August 2012,

4284-545: The constituent provinces. A legislative union would imply a complete incorporation of the provinces included in it under one legislature, exercising universal and sole legislative authority over all of them in exactly the same manner as the Parliament legislates alone for the whole of the British Isles. However, unification is not merely voluntary. To meet this requirement, we need to have a balance of power between

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4368-510: The continent of Africa. In recent years these included interventions in Ivory Coast in 2003 , Liberia in 2003 , Guinea-Bissau in 2012 , Mali in 2013 , and The Gambia in 2017 . Since its creation, ECOWAS has sent peacekeeping forces seven times. In 2011, ECOWAS adopted its development blueprint for the next decade, Vision 2020 , and, to accompany it, a Policy on Science and Technology ( ECOPOST ). However, it has had trouble achieving

4452-426: The country and 70 percent of its electricity, coming from Nigeria, was cut off. While these sanctions and consequences that have followed have impacted the individuals and economy of Niger, the government is not backing down. As a result of the suspension, children have not been able to attend school due to lack of supplies, and businesses are shutting down due to rising costs. Further, the ECOWAS lawyer pointed out that

4536-468: The coups in each nation. Under the ECOWAS protocol, immediate withdrawal is not possible, and the three member states could remain in the bloc for up to a year. ECOWAS said in a statement that "Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali remain important members of the Community and the Authority remains committed to finding a negotiated solution to the political impasse." On 24 February 2024, ECOWAS announced that it

4620-433: The deposed president was not reinstated by 7 August 2023. Due to the Nigerien military's refusal to restore civilian rule, ECOWAS activated its standby force composed of all other members except for Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea and Cape Verde. On 6 July 2024, the military leaders of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso signed a new pact to form a confederation, a political union of sovereign states . The confederation's stated goal

4704-587: The development of standards, regulations, and control systems. The plan includes five programs for implementation, and detailed mechanisms for monitoring and evaluation. Ecotourism is not specifically developed, yet it has been mentioned that the program has the opportunity to create linkages between institutions and stakeholder collaboration to suit ecotourism projects that prioritize community, biodiversity, and socioeconomics. The Ecotour Plan prioritizes local development, especially in generating skilled and unskilled jobs for marginalized individuals, and aims to make

4788-676: The different circumstances of the two Unions, the small base of institutional power in Ireland at the time (those who were the beneficiaries of the Protestant Ascendancy ) had faced a revolution in the Irish Rebellion of 1798 , and as a result there was an institutional drive toward unification, limiting the Irish negotiating power. However, informal guarantees were given to preclude the possibility of further Irish unrest in

4872-537: The establishment of an Allied Armed Force of the Community. The Community Parliament consists of 115 members, distributed based on the population of each member state. This body is headed by the Speaker of the Parliament, who is above the Secretary General. For the third time since its inception in 1975, ECOWAS is undergoing institutional reforms. The first was when it revised its treaty on 24 July 1993;

4956-478: The facilitation and establishment of business through the right of citizens to manage economic activities in countries other than their country of origin. However, this right has not been fully established in the ECOWAS region. While these three phases promoting freedom of movement within the ECOWAS region is more advanced than in any other regional grouping in Africa, only the first phase has been fully implemented by all ECOWAS countries. The complete implementation of

5040-609: The goals outlined in the policy. Covering a region known as a " coup belt ", ECOWAS, since the 1990s, has attempted to defend the region's shift towards democracy against authoritarian attacks. According to the BBC, since 1990, 78% of the 27 coups in sub-Saharan Africa have taken place in former French colonies. This has led some to question whether French influence in Africa has a destabilising impact. The transition governments in Mali and Burkina Faso cancelled military agreements that allow for French troops to operate on their territory, and in

5124-563: The largest city in Benin. ECOWAS's fundamental principles rely on equity , inter-dependence, solidarity, co-operation, nonaggression, regional peace, promotion of human rights , and economic and social justice . Notably among ECOWAS's protocols and plans are the ECOWAS Free Movement of Persons, Residences and Establishment Protocol and the Ecotour Action Plan 2019–2029. The Free Movement of Persons Protocol permits citizens

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5208-486: The laws and institutions of the former states, as happened in the creating of the United Kingdom. This may be simply a matter of practice or to comply with a guarantee given in the terms of the union. These guarantees may be to ensure the success of a proposed union (or in the least to prevent continuing resistance), as occurred in the union of Brittany and France in 1532 ( Union of Brittany and France ) in which

5292-513: The market of states within ECOWAS. Arabic-speaking Mauritania was one of the founding members of ECOWAS in 1975 and decided to withdraw in December 2000. Mauritania signed a new associate-membership agreement in August 2017. Mali was suspended from ECOWAS on 30 May 2021, following its second military coup within nine months. Guinea was also suspended on 8 September 2021, shortly after

5376-420: The movement of people transported in private and commercial vehicles by implementing policies that enable vehicles to enter and reside in a State for up to ninety days. Most ECOWAS states have instituted an ECOWAS brown card, which provides prompt, fair, and immediate compensation for any motor accident which occurs outside a motorist's home-country. While monitoring committees exist to ensure all three phases of

5460-464: The need for visas for stays of up to 90 days within the ECOWAS territory. Phase II attempted to extend residency to citizens in host ECOWAS states to seek income-earning employment after obtaining an ECOWAS residence card. Phase II also required member states to grant migrant workers equal treatment in areas such as employment, participation, social and cultural activities, and in certain cases of job loss, re-employment, and training. Phase III centered on

5544-575: The new currency is being developed by the West African Monetary Institute based in Accra , Ghana. In May 1979, ECOWAS adopted a Free Movement of Persons, Residence and Establishment Protocol, which permits citizens to enter, reside, and establish economic activities in the territory of member states. There were three phases of implementation to achieve the goals of the protocol. Over the course of five years, Phase I eliminated

5628-464: The new text for tourist accommodations in the ECOWAS region. This phase is critical to the success of the Ecotour plan as the lack of a regulatory system has been a barrier to the development of the tourism sector, despite its ability to increase member states' economies. During this conference, ministers improved the tourism industry by adopting standards for hotel services. Mrs. Massandjé Toure-Liste,

5712-501: The onshore gas pipeline. The pipeline consists of three sections with a total length of 678 kilometres (421 mi). The 569 kilometres (354 mi) long offshore section starts at the Itoki terminal in southeastern Nigeria and runs through the waters of Benin, Togo and Ghana parallel to the coastline, approximately 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) to 20 kilometres (12 mi) offshore in water depths of between 30 metres (98 ft) and 75 metres (246 ft). The Nigerian onshore section of

5796-426: The period following the French Revolution of 1789 and the 1798 rebellion. These types of informal arrangements are more susceptible to changes; for example, Tyrol was guaranteed that its Freischütz companies would not be posted to fight outside Tyrol without their consent, a guarantee later revoked by the Austrian state. However, this case can be contrasted with the continued existence of the Scottish Parliament and

5880-405: The pillar regional blocs of the continent-wide African Economic Community (AEC), the stated goal of ECOWAS is to achieve "collective self-sufficiency " for its member states by creating a single large trade bloc by building a full economic and trading union. ECOWAS also serves as a peacekeeping force in the region, with member states occasionally sending joint military forces to intervene in

5964-403: The pipeline connects the offshore section compressor station at Lagos Beach with the Chevron-owned Escravos–Lagos Pipeline System , operational since 1989. It is possible that later the WAGP will be extended to Côte d'Ivoire and in longer term even to Senegal . The diameter of the onshore section is 30 inches (760 mm). The diameter of the offshore pipeline is 20 inches (510 mm) and

6048-760: The protocol are successfully implemented, their work is vague and has not been credited with effective and efficient production of data. The largest challenges assosicated within the implementation of the protocol occur due to lack of commitment and enforceability. More so, there is a lack of access to readily available migrant information in the ECOWAS region. This poses a barrier to freedom of movement as immigration officials in member states are unaware that individuals who hold valid travel documents can enter their country freely. Therefore, West African migrants, who are entitled to enter through regular channels, leave their countries without proper travel documents and enter other countries illegally. This illegal and irregular entry poses

6132-413: The region, there has been a low level of integration with an increase in income disparities since the creation of WAEMU. Côte d'Ivoire had the highest GDP per capita in 2022 at US$ 1,950 while Niger had the lowest one at US$ 484. In the same year, Côte d'Ivoire and Senegal alone accounted for more than 60% of the unions' exports. Additionally, there is a large discrepancy in countries' economic performance over

6216-534: The right to enter and reside in any member state's territory, and the Ecotour Action Plan aims to develop and integrate the tourist industry of each member state. ECOWAS also serves as a peacekeeping force in the region, with member states occasionally sending joint military forces to intervene in the bloc's member countries at times of political instability and unrest. In 2024, Niger , Burkina Faso , and Mali announced their withdrawal from

6300-529: The second was in 2007 when the Secretariat was transformed into a Commission. As of July 2013, ECOWAS now has six new departments (Human Resources Management; Education, Science and Culture; Energy and Mines; Telecommunications and IT; Industry and Private Sector Promotion). Finance and Administration to Sierra Leone has been decoupled, to give the incoming Ghana Commissioner the new portfolio of Administration and Conferences. ECOWAS Community Court of Justice

6384-458: The two or more states, which can create an equal monetary, economic, social and cultural environment. We need also to take in account that those states eligible to unify must agree to a transition from anarchy, where there is no sovereignty above the state level, to hierarchy. States can decide to enter a voluntary union as a solution for existing problems and to face possible threats, such as environmental threats for instance. The task of triggering

6468-790: Was adopted in 2016 and is based on the pillars of education and training, employment and entrepreneurship, health and well-being, peace and security, and governance and participation. The SPAO identifies a number of challenges facing youth in ECOWAS, including high unemployment rates, lack of access to education and training, and poor health outcomes. The plan sets out a number of strategies to address these challenges, including investing in education and training, creating jobs and supporting entrepreneurship, improving access to health care, promoting peace and security, and strengthening youth participation in governance. The West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU, also known as UEMOA from its name in French, Union économique et monétaire ouest-africaine )

6552-406: Was carried out in 1999. On 11 August 1999, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by participating countries in Cotonou , Benin . In February 2000, an Inter-Governmental Agreement was signed. The WAGP implementation agreement was signed in 2003. Groundbreaking ceremonies for the project were held at Sekondi-Takoradi , Ghana, on 3 December 2004. Construction began in 2005. The offshore pipeline

6636-714: Was completed in December 2006 and was scheduled to start operating on 23 December 2007 but was delayed after leaks were detected in supply pipelines in Nigeria. The second delivery deadline was scheduled on 13 February 2008, but regular deliveries were delayed again, when one of the contractors of Willbros was shot and killed in Nigeria by armed robbers. Gas deliveries were expected by the end of 2009 after commissioning regulating and metering stations in Takoradi and Tema , Ghana , Lagos Beach, Nigeria, Cotonou, Benin, and Lomé , Togo in May 2008. However, deliveries were postponed again due to an irregular amount of moisture found inside

6720-511: Was created by a protocol signed in 1991 and was later included in Article 6 of the Revised Treaty of the Community in 1993. However, the Court did not officially begin operations until the 1991 protocol came into effect on 5 November 1996. The jurisdiction of the court is outlined in Article 9 and Articles 76 of the Revised Treaty and allows rulings on disputes between states over interpretations of

6804-418: Was formed initially from the region's former French, British and Portuguese colonies, and independent Liberia, following post-colonial independence throughout the region (particularly in the 1960s and 1970s). At independence, many African states were challenged in increasing economic development. Because these states could not address problems individually, there was a need for a regional approach and thus ECOWAS

6888-470: Was founded. ECOWAS was formed to provide regional economic cooperation, but has since evolved to include political and military cooperation, as well. The union was established on 28 May 1975, with the signing of the Treaty of Lagos , with its stated mission to promote economic integration across the region. A revised version of the treaty was agreed and signed on 24 July 1993 in Cotonou. Considered one of

6972-407: Was lifting some sanctions against Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso. For Niger this included the border closures, the freezing of central bank and state assets, the suspension of commercial transactions, and the no-fly-zone for commercial flights to and from Niger. However, the political sanctions and targeted sanctions would remain in force. The communiqué said this was done for humanitarian reasons, but it

7056-529: Was seen as a gesture of appeasement to dissuade the three junta-led states from withdrawing from the bloc. ECOWAS also lifted sanctions on Guinea and Guinea-Bissau. Statistics for population, nominal GDP and purchasing power parity GDP listed below are taken from World Bank estimates for 2015, published in December 2016. Area data is taken from a 2012 report compiled by the United Nations Statistics Division . ECOWAS

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