Nouvel espace ouest-africain : Plaidoyer pour une réintégration de la Mauritanie et l’adhésion du Maroc à la CEDEAO
Faced with the geopolitical realignments reshaping West Africa, experts, political leaders, diplomats, and civil society actors argued on Saturday in Dakar for a new, more inclusive West African space better adapted to contemporary realities. At the initiative of the Millennium African Institute, Nations and Democracy (MAI), a high-level roundtable was held on the theme: “ECOWAS, A New West African Space: A Plea for the Reintegration of Mauritania and the Accession of Morocco to ECOWAS.”
This meeting takes place in a regional context marked by the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger from ECOWAS, as well as the emergence of new integration architectures in the Sahel, acutely raising the question of the future of the West African community project.
Rethinking ECOWAS in the face of geopolitical changes
Discussions focused on the political, economic, cultural, and security challenges associated with a potential expansion of ECOWAS, particularly through the reintegration of Mauritania, a founding member, and the accession of Morocco, whose official application dates back to 2017. For Meissa Lo, president of the Millennium African Institute think tank, the time has come for in-depth strategic reflection: “ECOWAS must evolve to remain relevant. It is not simply a matter of expanding the community space, but of building a more inclusive, more effective organization, better aligned with current geopolitical, economic, and security realities.” Participants emphasized the need to rethink the governance, decision-making mechanisms, and strategic priorities of the regional organization in order to avoid the lasting fragmentation of West Africa. Based on a reflection report presented at the meeting, the MAI highlighted the concept of "ECOWAS+", an innovative approach aimed at expanding the community space to candidate or partner states, while respecting their sovereignty and national specificities.
Within this context, the proposal from ECOWAS (Economic and Social Community of West African States) was raised as a potential avenue for strengthening synergies between the Maghreb and West Africa. Mauritania, by virtue of its geographical and historical position, was presented as a strategic link between North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in the context of major infrastructure projects such as the Nigeria-Morocco pipeline, which could bolster regional energy integration.
Major economic and geopolitical repercussions
The speakers noted that Morocco's accession to ECOWAS could offer: access to a regional market of over 380 million consumers, diversification of economic and trade partnerships, and a strengthening of South-South economic diplomacy. For West African states, this dynamic could facilitate the transfer of Moroccan expertise in key sectors such as finance, telecommunications, and infrastructure, stimulate intra-regional trade, and enhance regional stability in a context of persistent security challenges.
A mobilization of leading players
The roundtable discussion included contributions from numerous prominent figures, among them Cellou Dalein Diallo, former Prime Minister of Guinea; Mankeur Ndiaye, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Senegal; Mariétou Dieng, former Member of Parliament; Colonel Antoine Wardini; Alain Dupouy, the newly appointed Honorary Consul of Mauritania; elected officials from the City of Dakar; economists; the President of the Young African Diplomats; and renowned journalists and analysts. Bringing together institutional leaders, diplomats, researchers, academics, young leaders, civil society actors, and media professionals, the meeting fostered an open and multifaceted dialogue on the future of regional integration. At the conclusion of the discussions, participants called for continued regional consultations, increased involvement of youth and civil society, and the development of concrete recommendations for a more dynamic, inclusive, and resilient West African integration. A summary report of the discussions and recommendations will be published in the coming days.
Commentaires (6)
Les blancs sont de vrais stratèges.
Et nous alors, on va continuer à subir jusqu'à quand?
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