A citizen of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Issaka K. Souaré, born in 1976 in N'Zérékoré, works at the International Secretariat of Amnesty International in London. A Contributing Editor to the London-based review journal, African Renaissance, he is the author of numerous articles relating to Africa. His most recent publications have addressed Franco-African relations, human rights and conflict resolution in Africa, and economic development and regional integration. He is also the author of the best-selling novel, Samassi (2004), and the forthcoming book, 60 Years of Africa in the UN System (1945-2005): Ups and Downs of a Continent in a World Body.

This book addresses the root causes of [political instability]…and puts forward many valuable recommendations for preventing and resolving them. While some authors, for reasons sometimes unclear, have tended to…ignore or even distort ECOWAS's contribution…[Souaré] appreciates our efforts and does not shy away from constructively scrutinizing them...

• Chapter 1 Acronyms & AbbreviationsChapter 2 ForewordChapter 3 AcknowledgementsChapter 4 Map of ECOWAS states in AfricaChapter 5 IntroductionChapter 6 1. A General Overview of West Africa: Concepts and ClarificationsChapter 7 2. Understanding the Roots of Civil Wars in West AfricaChapter 8 3. Explaining Coup d'État in West AfricaChapter 9 4. Cost and Consequences of Armed Conflicts in West AfricaChapter 10 5. Suggesting Possible Solutions to Civil War and Coups d'État in West AfricaChapter 11 6. Case StudiesChapter 12 BibliographyChapter 13 Index