MOROCCO’S ATTEMPT AT JOINING THE ECONOMIC COMMUNITY OF WEST AFRICAN STATES (ECOWAS): LEGAL AND POLITICAL CONSIDERATIONS

Abstract

Since about 2003, the fifteen member nation of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has enjoined relative peace, the rule of law, functioning state institutions and relative good governance has also been established. Democracy has also stated to take root in this economic block to the extent that in Ghana, Senegal, Benin Republic Cote d’ Ivorie, Burkina Faso, Togo, Nigeria, among others have had peaceful transition of government, and in some cases the incumbent government losing election and transiting or handling over power to the opposition. It is against this background that this article now considers the reason(s) why, Morocco, a North African country would desire to join ECOWAS. This article will also look at the effect of Morocco's intention to either join or be disallowed from joining ECOWAS in line with the 1975 Treaty and the Revised Treaty of ECOWAS of 1993. It will go further to consider the achievement and challenges facing ECOWAS. It will then conclude by looking at the prospects of ECOWAS as a sub-regional body.