As the Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) holds on Sunday, the West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network (WADEMOS) has asked that presidential term limits should be enforced in West African countries and presidents that change constitutional provision for personal gain should equally be treated as coupists.
The Project Coordinator of the West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network, (WADEMOS), Marie-Josiane Ngah led a meeting in Abuja on Friday where the resolution was made and the position asked to be communicated to the Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States for adoption.
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Speaking ahead of the 64th ECOWAS Heads of State Summit, Ngah emphasized the importance of tackling these issues to safeguard democracy in the region.
She said: “This campaign is not just an exercise for us; it is a necessity given the challenges we face,” while highlighting the limited effectiveness of ECOWAS in addressing unconstitutional changes in government, citing a lack of robust enforcement mechanisms as a major factor enabling some leaders to bypass term limits with minimal consequences.
Ngah also called attention to the critical role of civil society, the media, and other stakeholders in reversing the trend of term elongation. “With support from partners like the Open Society Foundation, WADEMOS has made significant progress in raising citizens’ awareness and engaging regional bodies through advocacy, research, and public campaigns,” she said.
She urged stakeholders to remain steadfast in their efforts. “Let us reaffirm our commitment to democratic principles, strengthen solidarity among civil society actors, and ensure ECOWAS remains a unifying force for West Africa. Together, we can safeguard democracy and enhance regional cooperation,” Ngah added.
Speaking at the same event, Professor David Dosseh, National Coordinator of Tournons La Page-Togo, emphasized the overwhelming support of African citizens for term limits. “Afrobarometer surveys have shown that the majority of African citizens want term limits institutionalized. It’s time ECOWAS responded to this clear demand,” he said.
Dosseh criticized the reluctance of some leaders to relinquish power at the end of their terms. “Why is it so difficult for leaders to respect term limits and return power to the people? Citizens are tired of seeing power treated as personal property,” he said. He added that good governance, political stability, and development depend on leaders adhering to these democratic principles.
As ECOWAS approaches its 50th anniversary, Prof. Dosseh called for deep reforms to consolidate democracy in the region. “This is an opportunity for ECOWAS to ensure lasting stability, even in the Sahel. Heads of state must unanimously agree to enforce term limits for all leaders across member states,” he concluded.
Sadikh Niass, International Relations Officer of Afrikajom, also highlighted the urgency of preserving ECOWAS’s role in regional integration. “The solidarity within WADEMOS continues to benefit citizens, and ECOWAS has greatly improved movement and relationships across the region,” Niass said. He warned that the potential withdrawal of Sahelian countries poses a threat to these achievements and urged leaders to address the situation urgently.
As the ECOWAS Heads of State prepare to meet, the calls for reform from civil society groups like WADEMOS, Tournons La Page, and Afrikajom echo the demands of millions of West Africans. The summit presents an opportunity for leaders to prioritize democracy, regional integration, and the will of the people in shaping the region’s future.
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