Introduction. Keeping in post-cold war Africa: "The bonfire of the vanities?. A contrasting image: death and despair versus life and hope. Complex emergencies and downsized peace operations. Preventive diplomacy: lost and powerless. West Africa struggle for survival. The making a new ecowas. ECOWAS new vision for the 21st. century -- Documents. Treaty of ECOWAS, chapter X: co-operation in political, judicial and legal affairs, regional security and immigration (23 july 1993). Protocol on non-aggression. Protocol relating to mutual assistance on defense (29 may 1981). Declaration of political principles of the economic community of west african states (6 juli 1991). Convention on mutual assistance in criminal matters (29 july 1992). Declaration of a maratorium on importation, exportation and manufacture of leght weapons in West Africa (31 october 1998). Plan of action for the implementation of the programme for coordination and assistance for security and development (PCASED) (1998). Code of conduct for the implementation of the moratorium on the importation, exportation and manufacture of light weapons (10 december 1999). Decision establishing national commissions for the control of the proliferation and illicit circulation of light weapons (10 december 1999). Protocol relating to the mechanism for conflict prevention, management, resolution, peacekeeping and security (10 december 1999). The security and mediation council (10 december 1999). Declaration of ECOWAS ministers of foreign affairs on child soldiers (24 march 1999).