Abstract:
Military alliances play a critical role in international relations and regional stability by
providing collective security, deterrence against aggression, and a framework for
coordinated military action. These alliances are agreements between countries to support
each other in the event of a military conflict or threat, often with the aim of enhancing their
collective defense capabilities.
The study aims to explore the regional alliances and the issues of stability. mentioning the
ECOWAS countries of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. The specific objectives were to
analyze the role of military alliances in promoting regional stability, to examine the policies
established by ECOWAS in promoting regional stability, to find out challenges that hinder
the promotion of regional stability in ECOWAS members and to suggest solutions to the
challenges.
Secondary sources were utilized extensively; however, primary sources include UN and
AU/OAU documentation and government publications, where applicable. This study was not
based on fieldwork or questionnaires. A literature review underscores what research has been
done, thus demonstrating how Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso sanctioned intervention and
demarcating how intervention has evolved. Contemporary literature on military intervention
in intrastate conflicts also informs this study The findings from this study review that peace
and security sustainability can only be guaranteed when the African states employ the
measures that would lead to the military alliance and stability in the area through the
provision of peacekeeping and trained security personnel that would help to monitor the
ECOWAS, Despite the achievements mentioned above by the ECOWAS, a few difficulties
must be highlighted. For example, historically, West Africa is the most fragile region on the
African Continent. There will be strife, humanitarian crises, environmental disasters, and
political instability. It is highly probable that ECOWAS, with one success under its belt, will
have to raise force and intervene again to restore security. Proper mechanisms for conflict
resolution, management and peacebuilding to foster and promote peace within the region,
transparency and accountability in governance and good leadership to foster growth and
development in the region of ECOWAS community and among others.
