As Ecowas prepares to mark 50 years since its founding, questions are arising about whether West Africans still have faith in the organization, which once symbolized unity, stability, and regional integration.

"The rise of the Alliance of Sahel States, comprising Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, led by military juntas, represents not only a daring step but also a fundamental challenge to the existing West African organization," Sahel researcher writes for the Foreign Policy Research Institute.

Avoulete notes that after fifty years of existence, ECOWAS is at risk of "disappearing" if many of its current leaders continue to "turn a deaf ear" to the desires of their people. "Without any real support from its constituents, the West African bloc risks suffering the fate of many empires, kingdoms, and organizations before it," Avoulete wrote.

Celebrating Ecowas 50th anniversary.