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@article{183948,
        author = {Chidi O. Ukaegbu},
        title = {West African Coups and Ecowas Stability: A Theoretical Discourse},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2025},
        volume = {12},
        number = {4},
        pages = {1556-1565},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=183948},
        abstract = {The re-emergence of coups in West Africa has become a critical issue for discussion within and outside the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) region. With the recent spate of coups witnessed in West Africa: from Mali, Egypt, Gabon, Burkina Faso, Niger, and others, the trend poses fears as to what new dimensions and effect it would assume in the nearest future. Thus, the present research paper examined coups in West Africa and its relationship with ECOWAS stability from a theoretical perspective. Specifically, the study examined how recent coups in West Africa have impacted the regional stability fostered by ECOWAS. Anchored on both Contagion and Frustration Aggression Theories, the research adopted the qualitative approach of data collection which relies on secondary sources such as books, journals, magazines, newspapers, official publications etc. and content analysis for the data generated. Findings from the study show that recent coups in West Africa have led to a decline in regional stability as it undermined the democratic principles and governance structures promoted by ECOWAS. The coups created a political bloc that sought to counterbalance the influence of external powers in West Africa, leading to a reconfiguration of international relations in the region which tended to further weaken ECOWAS’ stability. Based on these findings, the study recommended among other things, that ECOWAS should strengthen monitoring mechanisms to detect early signs of governance failures or instability within its regions. This includes but not limited to rising corruption, weakened democratic institutions and increasing security threats which could enable diplomatic intervention before a coup occurs as well as working with local actors to resolve governance issues before they give rise to coups.},
        keywords = {West Africa, Coups, ECOWAS, Frustration- aggression, Stability,},
        month = {September},
        }