C. ECONOMIC COMMUNITY OF WEST AFRICAN STATES (ECOWAS)

Treaty of Ecowas (Excerpts)

PREAMBLE

We, the Heads of State and Government of the Member States of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

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BEARING IN MIND the African Charter on Human and People's Rights and the Declaration of Political Principles of the Economic Community of West African States adopted in Abuja by the Fourteenth Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government on 6 July, 1991 ;

HAVE DECIDED to revise the Treaty of 28 May, 1975 establishing the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and have accordingly agreed as follows:

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ARTICLE 4 : FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES

THE HIGH CONTRACTING PARTIES, in pursuit of the objectives stated in Article 3 of this Treaty, solemnly affirm and declare their adherence to the following principles:

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g) recognition promotion and protection of human and peoples' rights in accordance with the provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights;

h) accountability, economic and social justice and popular participation in development;

i) recognition and observance of the rules and principles of the Community;

j) promotion and consolidation of a democratic system of governance in each Member State as envisaged by the Declaration of Political Principles adopted in Abuja on 6 July, 1991 ;

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CHAPTER X CO-OPERATION IN POLITICAL, JUDICIAL AND LEGAL AFFAIRS, REGIONAL SECURITY AND IMMIGRATION

ARTICLE 56 POLITICAL AFFAIRS

1 . In pursuit of the integration objectives of the Community, Member States undertake to co- operate on political matters, and in particular, to take appropriate measures to ensure effective application of the provisions of this Treaty.

2. The signatory States to the Protocol on Non-Aggression the Protocol on Mutual Assistance on Defence, the Community Declaration of Political Principles and the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights agree to co-operate for the purpose of realizing, the objectives of these instruments.

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ARTICLE 58 REGIONAL SECURITY

1 . Member States undertake to work to safeguard and consolidate relations conducive to the maintenance of peace, stability and security within the region.

2. In pursuit of these objectives, Member States undertake to co-operate with the Community in establishing and strengthening appropriate mechanisms for the timely prevention and resolution of intra-State and inter-State conflicts, paying particular regard to the need to:

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g) provide, where necessary and at the request of Member States, assistance to Member States for the observation of democratic elections.