A series of recent crises in West Africa have put the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in the spotlight, demonstrating the organization’s potential to shape West African politics, but also the limitations on its ability to do so. In Mali, one domino after another has fallen since a Tuareg-led rebellion began in the north of the country on Jan. 17. Junior military officers seized power in the capital, Bamako, on March 22. Tuareg rebels seized control of three major cities in northern Mali and declared independence for the territory they call the “Azawad” on April 6. In nearby Guinea Bissau, meanwhile, soldiers seized power on April 12, interrupting a presidential runoff election scheduled for later that month.

In both cases, ECOWAS has reacted swiftly at each turning point. In Mali, the group pressured military leaders to announce a transition to an ostensibly civilian government on April 12. With the transition still shaky -- despite yesterday's agreement for an extension of the civilian government's mandate -- and the junta appearing determined to retain a final say in Malian politics, ECOWAS might seek authorization from the United Nations Security Council to intervene militarily. The group has already reached a deal in Guinea Bissau to begin deploying peacekeepers to monitor the transition back to civilian rule. Through these efforts, ECOWAS is attempting to push West African coups, currently a periodic feature of the region’s political landscape, beyond the boundaries of political acceptability. ...