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Total Categories: 7
The full name of the organization known by the acronym ECOWAS is the Economic Community of West African States.
Answer: True
The full and official name of the organization is indeed the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), also known by its French acronym CEDEAO.
ECOWAS was established in 1975 through the signing of the Treaty of Accra.
Answer: False
ECOWAS was established in 1975, but its founding treaty was the Treaty of Lagos, signed on May 28, 1975, not the Treaty of Accra.
ECOWAS was initially formed from countries that were primarily former Spanish colonies.
Answer: False
ECOWAS was initially formed from countries that were primarily former French, British, and Portuguese colonies, along with Liberia. Spanish colonies were not the primary basis for its formation.
The role of ECOWAS has evolved to include political and military cooperation alongside its initial focus on economic integration.
Answer: True
Since its inception, ECOWAS has expanded its mandate beyond economic integration to encompass significant political and military cooperation, reflecting a broader approach to regional stability.
What is the primary region covered by the ECOWAS organization?
Answer: West Africa
ECOWAS is a regional union that primarily covers the West African region.
Which treaty marked the founding of ECOWAS?
Answer: The Treaty of Lagos
The founding treaty of ECOWAS, signed on May 28, 1975, is known as the Treaty of Lagos.
ECOWAS is considered one of the pillar regional blocs of which larger continental organization?
Answer: The African Economic Community (AEC)
ECOWAS is recognized as one of the principal regional economic communities that form the pillar of the continent-wide African Economic Community (AEC).
ECOWAS is primarily an organization focused on political cooperation among North African nations.
Answer: False
ECOWAS is fundamentally a regional organization focused on West Africa, not North Africa. Its scope encompasses economic, political, and security cooperation among its member states in the West African sub-region.
The core principles guiding ECOWAS include the promotion of democratic governance and economic and social justice.
Answer: True
The foundational principles of ECOWAS explicitly include the promotion of human rights, democratic governance, and economic and social justice among member states.
ECOWAS aims to create a single trade bloc to achieve collective self-sufficiency among its member states.
Answer: True
A primary objective of ECOWAS is to foster economic integration by establishing a unified trade bloc, thereby promoting collective self-sufficiency among its member nations.
What is the main objective of ECOWAS regarding economic integration?
Answer: To create a single large trade bloc for collective self-sufficiency.
A principal objective of ECOWAS is to foster economic integration by establishing a single, large trade bloc aimed at achieving collective self-sufficiency among its member states.
Which of the following is NOT listed as a fundamental principle guiding ECOWAS?
Answer: Unilateral foreign policy decisions
ECOWAS principles emphasize cooperation and harmonization of policies among member states, rather than unilateral foreign policy decisions.
The combined geographical area of ECOWAS member states is approximately 1 million square kilometers.
Answer: False
The combined geographical area of ECOWAS member states is significantly larger, approximating 5,114,162 square kilometers (1,974,589 sq mi).
ECOWAS currently has 12 member states.
Answer: True
Following the withdrawal announcements by Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso in January 2024, ECOWAS comprises 12 member states. The official effective date of withdrawal is noted as January 29, 2025.
Cape Verde joined ECOWAS in the same year as the founding members.
Answer: False
ECOWAS was founded in 1975. Cape Verde joined the organization in 1977, two years after its establishment.
Morocco's application to join ECOWAS in 2017 was immediately approved without any concerns raised.
Answer: False
While Morocco applied to join ECOWAS in 2017, its application faced significant delays and concerns from member states regarding potential economic impacts, rather than being immediately approved.
Mauritania, a founding member, withdrew from ECOWAS in December 2000 but later signed a new associate-membership agreement.
Answer: True
Mauritania, although a founding member, withdrew from ECOWAS in December 2000. It subsequently signed a new associate-membership agreement with the bloc.
Mali's suspension from ECOWAS in May 2021 was due to its first military coup within a short period.
Answer: False
Mali's suspension in May 2021 was due to its second military coup within a nine-month period, not its first.
Guinea was suspended from ECOWAS in September 2021 following a successful democratic election.
Answer: False
Guinea was suspended from ECOWAS in September 2021 following a military coup, not a successful democratic election.
Burkina Faso's suspension from ECOWAS in January 2022 was a consequence of its adherence to democratic principles.
Answer: False
Burkina Faso's suspension in January 2022 was a consequence of a military coup, not its adherence to democratic principles.
French, English, and Spanish are the three co-official languages used by ECOWAS.
Answer: False
The three co-official languages of ECOWAS are French, English, and Portuguese. Spanish is not among them.
What is the estimated population of ECOWAS member states combined?
Answer: Over 424.34 million people
The combined population of ECOWAS member states is estimated to be over 424.34 million people.
Which country joined ECOWAS in 1977, after the initial founding members?
Answer: Cape Verde
Cape Verde became a member of ECOWAS in 1977, two years after the organization's founding in 1975.
Which of the following languages is NOT one of the three co-official languages of ECOWAS?
Answer: Arabic
The three co-official languages of ECOWAS are French, English, and Portuguese. Arabic is not an official language of the organization.
Which founding member withdrew from ECOWAS in December 2000?
Answer: Mauritania
Mauritania, one of the founding members of ECOWAS, withdrew from the organization in December 2000.
Mali was suspended from ECOWAS in May 2021 due to what specific reason?
Answer: Its second military coup within a nine-month period.
Mali's suspension from ECOWAS in May 2021 was a direct consequence of its second military coup occurring within a nine-month timeframe.
What action did ECOWAS take against Guinea in September 2021 following a military coup?
Answer: Suspended the country from the bloc.
Following the military coup in Guinea in September 2021, ECOWAS promptly suspended the country from its membership.
The ECOWAS Community Parliament has 150 members, with seats allocated based on alphabetical order of member states.
Answer: False
The ECOWAS Community Parliament has 115 members, and seats are allocated based on the population size of each member state, not alphabetical order.
The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice can rule on breaches of fundamental human rights.
Answer: True
The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice possesses the authority to adjudicate cases involving breaches of fundamental human rights within the member states.
Which two institutions are mentioned as primary operating bodies within ECOWAS for policy implementation?
Answer: The ECOWAS Commission and the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID).
The ECOWAS Commission and the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) are identified as the principal operating institutions responsible for implementing ECOWAS policies.
How are seats distributed in the ECOWAS Community Parliament?
Answer: Determined by the population size of each member state.
Seats within the ECOWAS Community Parliament are allocated to member states based on their respective population sizes.
What is the jurisdiction of the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice NOT explicitly stated to include?
Answer: Final appellate jurisdiction over national supreme courts.
While the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice can interpret the Revised Treaty, provide advisory opinions, and rule on human rights breaches, it does not possess final appellate jurisdiction over national supreme courts.
The West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) uses the West African CFA franc as its common currency.
Answer: True
UEMOA, a sub-regional union within ECOWAS, utilizes the West African CFA franc as its common currency, which is pegged to the euro.
The West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ) aims to introduce a common currency called the 'dollar'.
Answer: False
The West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ) aims to introduce a common currency called the 'eco', not the 'dollar'.
The ECOWAS Free Movement Protocol has been fully implemented, allowing citizens unrestricted movement and establishment across all member states without any obstacles.
Answer: False
While the first phase of the ECOWAS Free Movement Protocol (visa-free travel for up to 90 days) has been implemented, full implementation allowing unrestricted movement and establishment faces significant obstacles, including lack of commitment and enforceability by authorities.
The ECOWAS brown card system provides insurance coverage for motor accidents occurring within a motorist's home country.
Answer: False
The ECOWAS brown card system provides insurance coverage for motor accidents occurring *outside* a motorist's home country within ECOWAS member states, facilitating cross-border travel.
The ECOWAS development blueprint adopted in 2011 was known as:
Answer: Vision 2020
The ECOWAS development blueprint adopted in 2011 was named 'Vision 2020'.
What is the ECOWAS Policy on Science and Technology called?
Answer: ECOPOST
The ECOWAS Policy on Science and Technology is referred to as ECOPOST.
What is the West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ) primarily aiming to achieve?
Answer: Establish a common currency called the 'eco'.
The West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ) is primarily focused on establishing a common currency, designated as the 'eco', among its member states.
The ECOWAS Free Movement Protocol grants citizens the right to:
Answer: Enter, reside in, and establish economic activities in other member states.
The ECOWAS Free Movement Protocol grants citizens the right to enter, reside in, and establish economic activities within the territories of other member states.
What is a major obstacle to the complete implementation of the ECOWAS Free Movement Protocol?
Answer: Lack of commitment and enforceability by authorities.
A significant obstacle to the full implementation of the ECOWAS Free Movement Protocol is the lack of commitment and enforceability by authorities, compounded by insufficient access to migrant information for officials.
What is the purpose of the ECOWAS brown card system?
Answer: To offer compensation for motor accidents outside one's home country.
The ECOWAS brown card system functions as an insurance mechanism designed to provide compensation for motor accidents occurring outside a motorist's home country within ECOWAS member states.
The Trans-ECOWAS project, initiated in 2007, focuses on improving which type of infrastructure?
Answer: Railway infrastructure
The Trans-ECOWAS project, launched in 2007, is dedicated to the enhancement and upgrading of railway infrastructure throughout the ECOWAS region.
What is the Ecotour Action Plan 2019-2029 aimed at achieving?
Answer: Developing the region's tourism industry and heritage.
The Ecotour Action Plan 2019-2029 is designed to foster the development of the region's tourism industry and heritage, aiming to position ECOWAS as a premier tourist destination in Africa.
The ECOWAS passport was introduced primarily as:
Answer: A common international travel document.
The ECOWAS passport was introduced primarily to serve as a common international travel document, facilitating easier movement for citizens within the region.
ECOWAS has deployed joint military forces to intervene in member countries experiencing political instability.
Answer: True
ECOWAS has historically deployed joint military forces to intervene in member states facing significant political instability and unrest, as part of its peacekeeping mandate.
ECOWAS imposed sanctions on both Mali and Guinea in September 2021 in response to their political situations.
Answer: True
In September 2021, ECOWAS imposed sanctions on both Mali and Guinea as a response to the prevailing political circumstances within those member states.
Following Niger's 2023 coup, ECOWAS closed borders and froze Niger's assets in ECOWAS central banks.
Answer: True
In response to the 2023 coup in Niger, ECOWAS implemented measures including closing borders, freezing Niger's assets in its central banks, and threatening military intervention.
What is the primary function of ECOWAS in relation to regional security?
Answer: To act as a peacekeeping force and intervene in instability.
ECOWAS plays a crucial role in regional security by acting as a peacekeeping force and intervening in member countries experiencing political instability.
Which of the following was a consequence for Niger after its 2023 coup led to its suspension from ECOWAS?
Answer: ECOWAS closed borders and froze Niger's assets.
Following Niger's suspension after the 2023 coup, ECOWAS imposed measures including border closures and the freezing of Niger's assets held in ECOWAS central banks.
The region ECOWAS covers is sometimes referred to as a 'coup belt' due to:
Answer: The frequency of military takeovers in the area.
The region ECOWAS covers is referred to as a 'coup belt' due to the recurring instances of military coups and political instability within its member states.
ECOWAS has become involved in repatriating cultural artefacts, addressing issues stemming from:
Answer: Cultural property plundered during colonial periods.
ECOWAS's efforts in repatriating cultural artefacts address the historical issue of cultural property plundered during colonial periods, aiming to restore heritage to its countries of origin.
Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali announced their withdrawal from ECOWAS in January 2023.
Answer: False
Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali announced their withdrawal from ECOWAS in January 2024, not 2023.
The stated justification for Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali's withdrawal was the bloc's implementation of sanctions perceived as inhumane.
Answer: True
The three nations cited the bloc's imposition of sanctions, which they deemed 'inhumane,' as a primary reason for their decision to withdraw from ECOWAS.
The withdrawal of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso from ECOWAS officially took effect on January 29, 2024.
Answer: False
The withdrawal of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso was announced in January 2024, but its official effective date is stated as January 29, 2025, according to relevant sources.
Following their withdrawal, Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso formed a new political entity called the Union of Sahelian States.
Answer: False
The new political entity formed by Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso following their withdrawal from ECOWAS is called the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), not the Union of Sahelian States.
The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) aims to establish a federation among its member countries, including mutual defense and a common market.
Answer: True
The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) has articulated goals including mutual defense, a common market, and the eventual federalization into a single sovereign state.
What was the stated justification given by Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali for their withdrawal from ECOWAS in January 2024?
Answer: The bloc's implementation of sanctions perceived as inhumane.
The three nations cited the bloc's imposition of sanctions, which they characterized as 'inhumane,' as a primary justification for their withdrawal.
What new political entity was formed by Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso after announcing their withdrawal from ECOWAS?
Answer: The Alliance of Sahel States (AES)
Following their withdrawal from ECOWAS, Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso established the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
Which of the following is NOT a stated goal of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES)?
Answer: Joining the European Union.
While the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) aims for mutual defense, a common market, and federalization, joining the European Union is not among its stated objectives.