https://en.sputniknews.africa/20250528/ecowas-at-50-regional-identity-free-movement-and-a-test-of-unity-1073600033.html
ECOWAS at 50: Regional Identity, Free Movement, and a Test of Unity
ECOWAS at 50: Regional Identity, Free Movement, and a Test of Unity
Sputnik Africa
As ECOWAS marks its golden jubilee, the regional bloc reflects on its evolution from a trade-focused alliance to a broader engine for peace, mobility, and... 28.05.2025, Sputnik Africa
2025-05-28T17:53+0200
2025-05-28T17:53+0200
2025-05-28T17:53+0200
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ECOWAS at 50: Regional Identity, Free Movement, and a Test of Unity
Sputnik Africa
Since its founding in 1975, the Economic Community of West African States [ECOWAS] has positioned itself as one of Africa’s most integrated regional blocs. Its achievements span economic integration, peacekeeping missions, and the promotion of a regional identity that goes beyond national borders.
Since its founding in 1975, the Economic Community of West African States [ECOWAS] has positioned itself as one of Africa’s most integrated regional blocs. Its achievements span economic integration, peacekeeping missions, and the promotion of a regional identity that goes beyond national borders.In an exclusive interview with Global South Pole, Dr. Omar Alieu Tourey, president of the ECOWAS Commission, said the bloc has helped make West Africans feel at home across the region. He emphasized the impact of free movement policies, trade liberalization, and regional infrastructure projects, noting that ECOWAS has transformed how citizens experience the region.The top diplomat also acknowledged the current tensions following the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, saying that such setbacks are not unusual for a union of this nature. Touray stressed the importance of dialogue and regional unity in overcoming disagreements.To listen to the whole exclusive conversation, tune in to the Global South Pole podcast, brought to you by Sputnik Africa.In addition to the website, you can also catch our episodes on Telegram.► You can also listen to our podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Deezer, Castbox, Pocket Casts, Afripods, Podcast Addict, Overcast, and Mave Stream.► Check out all the episodes of Global South Pole.
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ECOWAS at 50: Regional Identity, Free Movement, and a Test of Unity
Aliyu Bello
Correspondent, Podcast Host
As ECOWAS marks its golden jubilee, the regional bloc reflects on its evolution from a trade-focused alliance to a broader engine for peace, mobility, and shared identity in West Africa.
Since its founding in 1975, the Economic Community of West African States [ECOWAS] has positioned itself as one of Africa’s most integrated regional blocs. Its achievements span economic integration, peacekeeping missions, and the promotion of a regional identity that goes beyond national borders.
In an exclusive interview with Global South Pole, Dr. Omar Alieu Tourey, president of the ECOWAS Commission, said the bloc has helped make West Africans feel at home across the region. He emphasized the impact of free movement policies, trade liberalization, and regional infrastructure projects, noting that ECOWAS has transformed how citizens experience the region.
“Each and every citizen of an ECOWAS member state today identifies as an ECOWAS citizen. I mean, they all carry passports bearing the logo of ECOWAS, and they all feel comfortable in each other’s country. You can move freely within the region. This is no small feat, if you consider the difficulty of traveling within the continent,” the commission president explained.
The top diplomat also acknowledged the current tensions following the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, saying that such setbacks are not unusual for a union of this nature. Touray stressed the importance of dialogue and regional unity in overcoming disagreements.
“Nobody can move away from this region. It is our natural home […] If we have different perceptions, I think by discussing and by dialog, we can clarify and harmonize some of our positions for the benefit of our population,” Dr. Tourey expressed.
To listen to the whole exclusive conversation, tune in to the Global South Pole podcast, brought to you by Sputnik Africa.
In addition to the website, you can also catch our episodes on
Telegram.► Check out all the episodes of Global South Pole. 
