ECOWAS leaders have endorsed the controversial Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline (NMGP) project, sparking criticism over its implications for the sovereignty of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), also known as Western Sahara.

The project, which aims to transport natural gas from Nigeria to Morocco and then to Europe, has drawn condemnation from African leaders and activists who argue that SADR, a founding member of the African Union, was not consulted.

Critics highlight the project's potential to bolster Morocco's military occupation of Western Sahara, a territory claimed by both Morocco and the Polisario Front.The Nigerian delegation, led by Vice President Kashim Shettima, reportedly supported the project despite its economic and geopolitical risks.Alternative routes, such as the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline (TSGP) to Algeria, were proposed as cheaper and more viable options.The decision has raised concerns about ECOWAS's commitment to African unity and self-determination.

Activists like Owei Lakemfa, a former African workers' union leader, argue that the project undermines African solidarity and prioritizes foreign interests over regional sovereignty.

The endorsement has also sparked debates about the need for ECOWAS to focus on regional infrastructure projects, such as railways and coastal transport systems, rather than costly international pipelines.The controversy underscores the tension between economic development and political integrity in African regional cooperation.