Nigeria, Sept. 30 -- Recurrent coups since 2020 and the decision by Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger to withdraw from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) reveal the region's deep governance and democracy challenges.

ECOWAS' struggle to address these crises, along with perceptions of double standards in its handling of military coups vs. 'constitutional' coups perpetrated by elected governments, has damaged the organisation's image in West Africa.

The decision by ECOWAS heads of state to hold a Special Summit on the Future of Regional Integration in West Africa in 2025 presents an opportunity to resolve these issues. The summit will be inclusive and consultative and aims to strengthen ECOWAS, making it more efficient and r...