ECOWAS, West African Regionalism, and the Resurgence of Coup D’état in the Sahel Region: A Prognosis of Mali and Burkina Faso

The resurgence of coups d’état in the Sahel region has heightened concerns about political instability and security in Africa. In recent years, Mali and Burkina Faso have experienced multiple military takeovers, reflecting a broader crisis fueled by terrorist insurgencies, weak institutions, economic hardships, and external geopolitical influences. The study seeks to further explore regional and international responses, particularly those of ECOWAS, the African Union, and global actors, in shaping security outcomes. Ultimately, the research offers a prognosis of the Sahel’s security future, highlighting pathways for restoring constitutional order and long-term stability. This study critically examines the impact of these coups on security dynamics, assessing whether military interventions have mitigated or exacerbated instability. Relying on the failed state theory as the framework of analysis and using a qualitative research design, data will be collected from secondary sources, including government reports, academic literature, think-tank analyses, and security indices. The study argues that persistent governance deficits and weakened state capacity have contributed to military takeovers and the role of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in managing post-coup transitions, enforcing sanctions, facilitating diplomatic engagements, and supporting regional security initiatives. Findings will suggest that while military juntas justify their actions as necessary for national security, they have struggled to contain violent extremism and restore civil governance.