Abstract

This paper attempts to understand the role of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) collective security dispute settlement. In doing this, It takes a critical look at the internal dynamics of West Africa and how they shape the organisation, as well as at ECOWAS responses to highly volatile disputes. It also examines the responses of the ECOWAS member States and its leadership to some security challenges it has faced and attempts to determine to what extent the organisation has been able to act as regional regulator of security. This paper is doctrinal in nature. The West African sub-region has been ravaged in recent times by violent upheavals, which at all times has resulted in the wholesome loss of human lives, wanton destruction of property and suffering and desolation for the innocent civilian population. These civilians are frequently pushed by famine and diseases into taking refuge in neighbouring countries or becoming displaced persons within their own countries. Conflict is a recurring phenomenon in human societies. Regardless of its nature and form, it has dye-functional and disruptive effect, particularly when it assumes a critical dimension. The attendant breakdown of law and order, destruction of lives and property, perpetration of human rights abuses and generation of refugees and internally displaced persons caused by conflicts transcends national boundaries with the struggle and need for peace, security and development at national, regional and international levels respectively.