The West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network, WADEMOS, has called for the adoption of presidential term limits and stronger measures against unconstitutional changes in government across West Africa.
Speaking in Abuja ahead of the 64th ECOWAS Heads of State Summit, Project Coordinator Marie-Josiane Ngah stressed the importance of these reforms to protect democracy in the region.
She criticized ECOWAS’s limited enforcement mechanisms and called on civil society, the media, and other stakeholders to remain vigilant in their advocacy efforts.
Highlighting the overwhelming public support for term limits, Professor David Dosseh of Tournons La Page-Togo cited Afrobarometer surveys showing widespread demand for institutionalized term limits.
He condemned the tendency of some leaders to cling to power, stating that good governance and political stability depend on respecting democratic principles.
Dosseh urged ECOWAS to seize its 50th-anniversary milestone to implement reforms that would ensure stability and democracy across the region.
The Afrikajom’s International Relations Officer, Sadikh Niass, praised ECOWAS’s role in fostering regional integration but warned that political instability in the Sahel threatens these gains.
He called on leaders to address the issue urgently while emphasizing the benefits of WADEMOS’s solidarity efforts in engaging citizens and regional bodies.
According panelist during the conversation, as ECOWAS leaders convene, the calls from civil society groups like WADEMOS, Tournons La Page, and Afrikajom reflect the aspirations of millions of West Africans.
The summit provides a critical opportunity to prioritize democratic reforms, regional cooperation, and the collective will of the people.
