GASPRO International Journal of Eminent Scholars

ABSTRACT
Obviously, the paper discusses the ecology of international organization and administration
in the West African sub-region dominated by the Economic Community of West African
States. ECOWAS has not yet decided on a single approach to election observation that would
be valid for each of its missions. Selecting a single methodology would give ECOWAS the
means to consistently identify (1) minimum circumstances under which they would agree to
observe an election; and (2) the scope of their mission, in terms of length of time in country
and focus of observation efforts. One of the strengths of ECOWAS was rightly considered to
be the furthest developed regional organization in Africa, in this context, progressive
regional protocols for membership integration and harmonization of resources towards the
development of her member states. One of the weaknesses of ECOWAS is that it remains
largely a project of Heads of States, the integration avant-garde working in Abuja, and the
donors. Linkages between ECOWAS and the national capitals still need to be expanded and
strengthened. The reality and experience of ECOWAS with election observation illustrates
the challenges that must be overcome by African organizations in pursuit of free and fair
elections. The main issues facing ECOWAS are gaps in their observation methodology,
conflicts of interest, inexperience, and the absence of coordination with other electoral
players.
KEYWORDS: Regional Cooperation, Experience, Strength, Weakness