African Union and ECOWAS

Kristen Boon and Nickolas Eburne

Chapter 1 in Elgar Encyclopedia of International Sanctions, 2025, pp 6-8 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: The African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) employ sanctions to uphold democratic norms and respond to unconstitutional changes of government (UCG) within their respective regions. The AU primarily utilizes political sanctions, such as suspension from AU activities, while ECOWAS often imposes economic sanctions. Both organizations have demonstrated a willingness to use targeted sanctions against individuals responsible for actions threatening peace, security, and stability. However, the effectiveness of these sanctions can be limited by factors such as inconsistent enforcement, regional geopolitical considerations, and the challenges of coordinating with other international actors such as the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Ultimately, the effectiveness of these sanctions depends on a range of factors, including the political will of member states, the specific circumstances of each case, and the broader geopolitical context.

Keywords: Sanctions; Africa; African Union; ECOWAS (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
ISBN: 9781035339525
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