Objectives and Principles of ECOWAS

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has the objective of promoting cooperation and integration in the economic, social and cultural fields in order to eventually establish an economic and monetary union through the total integration of the national economies of the Member States. This integration should ensure the improvement of the standard of living of life of the people, ensure economic growth, promote relations between Member States and to contribute to the overall progress and development of the African continent.

The Revised 1993 Treaty, which was supposed to deepen economic and political cooperation among Member States, identifies the eventual establishment of a common market and a common currency as its economic objectives, while the political objectives were the establishment of a West African parliament, an economic and social council and an ECOWAS Court of Justice to replace the existing court ant to enforce the decisions of the community. This Treaty formally assigned the responsibility of preventing and settling regional conflicts to the Community.

ECOWAS bases its activities on the following fundamental principles:

Equality and interdependence of Member States
Solidarity and collective autonomy
Inter-State cooperation
Harmonization of policies and integration of programmes
Transparency, economic and social justice
Non-aggression among Member States
Maintenance of peace, stability and security
Peaceful settlement of disputes
Respect, promotion and protection of the rights of the person
Promotion and consolidation of democracy

	Objectives and Principles of ECOWAS The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has the objective of promoting cooperation and integration in the economic, social and cultural fields in order to eventually establish an economic and monetary union through the total integration of the national economies of the Member States. This integration should ensure the improvement of the standard of living of life of the people, ensure economic growth, promote relations between Member States and to contribute to the overall progress and development of the African continent. The Revised 1993 Treaty, which was supposed to deepen economic and political cooperation among Member States, identifies the eventual establishment of a common market and a common currency as its economic objectives, while the political objectives were the establishment of a West African parliament, an economic and social council and an ECOWAS Court of Justice to replace the existing court ant to enforce the decisions of the community. This Treaty formally assigned the responsibility of preventing and settling regional conflicts to the Community. ECOWAS bases its activities on the following fundamental principles: Equality and interdependence of Member States Solidarity and collective autonomy Inter-State cooperation Harmonization of policies and integration of programmes Transparency, economic and social justice Non-aggression among Member States Maintenance of peace, stability and security Peaceful settlement of disputes Respect, promotion and protection of the rights of the person Promotion and consolidation of democracy
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