A comunidade econômica dos estados da África ocidental (CEDEAO): aspectos históricos e desafios para a integração (1975-2016)

Abstract

As an underdeveloped, dependent, and formerly colonized region of exploitation, West Africa historically occupies a marginal position in the world economy and in international politics. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) — an international organization that institutionalizes the West African regional integration process — was created to assist African nations in addressing this reality. This brief study, besides analyzing the historical and international context that marked the emergence and development of ECOWAS, makes an evaluation of the role of this organization in the search for stability and development for West Africa. ECOWAS has existed since 1975 and has virtually all the countries of the region as members, but is it possible to identify, at least institutionally, a framework that will overcome the economic, political and social problems left by Europeans? It was assumed as an initial hypothesis that integration should be considered sine qua non for regional development in West Africa and ECOWAS, even if insufficiently, provides an institutional arrangement for this purpose.