The 2001 ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy in Light of Recent Developments in the Sub-Region of Africa

This article, sourcing data from documentary sources and adopting descriptive and historical methods of data analysis, examines the most comprehensive and ambitious of the West African statesmen’ attempts at regionalizing democracy—the 2001 Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance. Specifically, it assesses member states’ performance with regard its provisions, in the light of contemporary realities. It argues that this framework and its precursors, when viewed against the background of their emergence, are another defensive strategy by West African leaders, in concert with the ‘development’ partners, to disguise the contradictions in the sub-region’s democratization process. It concludes that what Africa needs, to ensure peace and stability is a model of democracy that guarantees inclusiveness and popular participation in development policies