ECOWAS Sanctions and Military Coups: A Critical Assessment of their Effectiveness in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso

Eneasato Benjamin Onyekachi, Anikwe Johnson Azubike and Ogbuka Ikenna Matthew

Department of Political Science, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

The study examined the efficacy of ECOWAS instrument of sanctions on unconstitutional changes in government in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.  In this regard, the study x-rayed the frightening emerging trend of military coups in the West African Sub-Region.  The trend of illegal take – over of power from democratically elected government violates national constitutions, international conventions and protocols established by multilateral organizations and development partners.  The study adopted secondary source of data collection.  However, the findings of the study indicated that ECOWAS instruments of sanctions functions more effective as a normative than as an effective and efficiency in terms of sanctions.  The study recommended that there is need for strategic recalibration on sanctions by the ECOWAS in order to obtain compliance among member nations.  Also, the study concluded that sanctions applied in isolation of enforcement are insufficient tool for democratic restoration in ECOWAS member states.

Keywords: ECOWAS sanctions; military coups; unconstitutional change of government; democratic restoration; West Africa (Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso)

CITE AS: Eneasato Benjamin Onyekachi, Anikwe Johnson Azubike and Ogbuka Ikenna Matthew (2026). ECOWAS Sanctions and Military Coups: A Critical Assessment of their Effectiveness in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. INOSR ARTS AND MANAGEMENT 12(1):1-18. https://doi.org/10.59298/INOSRAM/2026/121.118