Final answer:
The major objective of West African states at independence was political stability, as they sought to stabilize their political systems and manage cultural diversity within artificial colonial borders. Economic prosperity was also a goal, pursued through regional collaborations like ECOWAS and the African Union.
Step-by-step explanation:
The major objective of West African states at independence was political stability. These newly independent states were grappling with the challenges of restructuring their political and economic systems post-colonization, while also trying to manage the diversity of groups within their borders. Additionally, they aimed to avoid becoming satellites of either the Western or Eastern Bloc during the Cold War period. However, due to the arbitrary colonial borders set by the Berlin Conference, these states faced difficulties in achieving political stability, as the borders did not consider the ethnic and cultural divisions within the continent. Thus, the legacy of colonialism and the poorly designed national boundaries continued to impact political and economic stability in West Africa post-independence.
Economic prosperity was also a long-term goal for these states, and efforts such as the creation of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the later African Union reflect the regional desire to improve trade and economic standings on the global stage.