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The aim of this paper is to shed light on the reactivity of economic activity in WAEMU (West African Economic and Monetary Union) countries following government spending shocks, using a two gaps structural vector autoregressive model (SVAR). We show how fiscal policy shocks rippled through economic activity in the states of the Union and we attempt to model transmission mechanisms. In the context of the adoption of the Convergence, Stability, Growth and Solidarity Pact in 1999, our study provides a few recommendations for improving macroeconomic stability in the WAEMU, thus evaluating the capacity of public finances in WAEMU member countries to handle cyclical shocks. Code JEL: E6, C5