members-(7) Benin, Burkina, Cote d'Ivoire, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Togo

West African Economic Community (CEAO)

note-acronym from Communaute Economique de l'Afrique de l'Ouest

established-3 June 1972

aim-to promote regional economic development

members-(7) Benin, Burkina, Cote d'Ivoire, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal observers-(2) Guinea, Togo

Western European Union (WEU)

established-23 October 1954

effective-6 May 1955

aim-mutual defense and progressive political unification