West Africa Unites: ECOWAS Established in Lagos
Fifteen West African nations signed the Treaty of Lagos on May 28, 1975, establishing the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to promote economic integration and collective self-sufficiency across the region. The treaty was championed by Nigerian Head of State Yakubu Gowon and Togolese President Gnassingbe Eyadema. ECOWAS initially focused on trade liberalization and free movement of persons, establishing a common passport and eliminating tariffs on unprocessed goods. In the 1990s, it evolved beyond economics to become the primary security organization in West Africa, deploying peacekeeping forces (ECOMOG) to civil wars in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea-Bissau, Cote d'Ivoire, Mali, and The Gambia. ECOWAS has 15 member states with a combined population of over 400 million.
May 28, 1975
51 years ago
Key Figures & Places
What Else Happened on May 28
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