An economic grouping constituted largely on the initiative of General Gowon at Lagos in 1975 by 15 West African countries, and later (1977) joined by Cape Verde; Mauritania left in 2000. Its object was to provide a programme of liberalization of trade and to bring about an eventual customs union. A common fund was established to promote development projects, with specialized commissions for trade, industry, transport, and social and cultural affairs. A new treaty was signed in 1993, designating the creation of a free-trade zone and a single currency as specific objectives. A parliament and court of justice were established in 2000 and 2001 respectively. The organization contributed significantly to resolving West Africa’s armed conflicts in the 1990s.