Members of West African Elders Forum hold strategy meeting in Accra

Over the past four years, the West African Elders Forum (WAEF), established under the Supporting Democratic Transitions and Managing Political Emergencies project of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, has made significant strides in promoting peace and stability across West Africa.

WAEF has played an instrumental role in mediating peaceful elections in several countries, including The Gambia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and most recently, Senegal. Additionally, the Forum has employed quiet diplomacy to address emerging political challenges by engaging key political leaders at the highest levels.

In May 2022, WAEF hosted a sub-regional dialogue in Dakar titled “Sustaining the Principles of Democracy,” bringing together stakeholders to address the constraints and challenges facing democracy in West Africa.

Over the past three decades, West Africa has seen remarkable democratic progress, from peaceful transitions of power and the strengthening of electoral institutions to the vibrancy of civil society and media. However, recent years have shown a troubling reversal of these gains.

For the first time in ECOWAS’s history, four of its fifteen-member states are currently suspended following military coups. This is further compounded by the formation of the Alliance of Sahel States and several failed coup attempts in Sierra Leone, Guinea Bissau, and The Gambia.

These developments point to growing discontent and distrust in democracy, driven by accusations of political elites manipulating democratic systems and limiting participation and inclusivity. There are rising concerns over the arrest and detention of opposition figures and pro-democracy activists, alongside the general abuse of state power.

The quality of elections has deteriorated, marred by violence, diminished autonomy of election management bodies, and judicial challenges to outcomes. This has led to concerns that some citizens may no longer view elections as a viable path for peaceful transitions of power.

WAEF is committed to supporting West African nations in consolidating their democracies. This meeting aims to address the threats to peace, stability, and democratic governance in the region, especially as we approach key elections in 2024, including in Ghana.

Discussions will focus on:
• Assessing the fallout from the Senegal elections and evaluating the implications of upcoming elections in Ghana for the region.
• Addressing the recent surge in military coups and other socio-political developments, and identifying strategies to mitigate their impact.
• Developing action plans to prevent further deterioration of peace and stability in the sub-region.
• Establishing an outreach program to engage with governments and stakeholders, fostering a comprehensive response to safeguard the region’s democratic gains.
• Collaborating with ECOWAS to submit concrete policy and political recommendations to the Authority of Heads of State and Government.
“As we convene today, let us approach these challenges with a sense of urgency and collective responsibility, determined to protect the democratic progress of the last three decades while addressing the emerging discontents,” former Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan stated.

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