Regional Security and State Stability in West Africa, 2011 2023

Regional security and state stability are critical concepts in todays global security system, emphasising the importance of preserving peace, governance, and economic development within a specific geographical area. The study examined regional security and state stability in West Africa from 2011 to 2023, a period marked by significant political instability, military coups. The study aimed to analyse the impact of these factors on the overall security and stability of the region, with a focus on the role of regional organisations like the Economic Community of West African States ECOWAS in managing these challenges. The study adopted the regional security complex theory as the theoretical framework. Regional security complex theory posits that security interdependence is prominent within regional clusters due to the proximity of threats. The securitisation process links the security of individual states, impacting regional security dynamics. The descriptive survey research design was applied in the study, utilising secondary sources of data. The content analysis method was used as the method of data analysis. The findings revealed the systemic issues within West African political structures, such as poor governance and corruption, which have catalysed military interventions and weakened democratic institutions. Additionally, the study revealed factors contributing to regional security challenges such as weak state institutions, economic disparities, ethnic and religious tensions, and the proliferation of small arms and light weapons. The study concludes that the path to a stable and secure West Africa lies in a coordinated approach that combines political, economic, and social strategies. The study recommended enhanced regional security cooperation channelled towards economic development and poverty alleviation, strengthening democratic institutions and governance and also building capacity for conflict prevention and management in West Africa. This approach should be strengthened by strong regional cooperation, supported by the international community, and tailored to the unique challenges and needs of the region. Ebimnamaonye Herbert Chukwudi | Owhor Godknows Chima "Regional Security and State Stability in West Africa, 2011 - 2023" Published in International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456-6470, Volume-9 | Issue-5 , October 2025, URL: https://www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd97513.pdf Paper URL: https://www.ijtsrd.com/humanities-and-the-arts/political-science/97513/regional-security-and-state-stability-in-west-africa-2011-2023/ebimnamaonye-herbert-chukwudi