ECOWAS Leaders Call For West African Unity Amidst Growing Instability

Abuja, Nigeria – West African leaders gathered in Abuja for the 53rd session of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council (MSC), sounding the alarm about escalating regional challenges and emphasizing the critical need for unity and collaboration.

The meeting, presided over by ECOWAS MSC Chair and Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, highlighted a complex tapestry of progress and peril in the sub-region.

Ambassador Tuggar emphasised the inextricable link between political stability and development, encouraging governments and citizens to prioritize peace.

He lauded the recent successful elections in Ghana and Senegal as models for democratic consolidation but warned of the escalating threats from terrorism, violent extremism, and organized crime.

He called for renewed commitment to the ECOWAS Regional Action Plan on the Fight Against Terrorism, advocating for a forward-looking strategy beyond its conclusion this year.

ECOWAS Commission President, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, echoed these concerns, acknowledging both achievements and looming challenges.

While celebrating the absence of piracy incidents in 2024, attributed to enhanced maritime security operations, he highlighted the impending withdrawal of some member states from the community, calling for a renewed commitment to shared democratic values.

The dire humanitarian situation, marked by widespread displacement due to food insecurity, climate change, and political instability, was a central theme.

Both leaders stressed the need for fully operational National Early Warning and Response Centres and strengthened measures against money laundering and terrorist financing.

The establishment of a Special Tribunal in The Gambia to prosecute human rights violations was also discussed.

The meeting further addressed the growing threat of external interference and disinformation campaigns, underscoring the need for regional solidarity.

Dr. Touray proposed a “Summit of the Future” to address geopolitical challenges and safeguard ECOWAS’s collective identity.

The 53rd MSC session concluded with a renewed commitment to collective security, democratic governance, and economic development.

Leaders expressed optimism that the meeting’s outcomes will strengthen ECOWAS’s role in fostering peace, stability, and progress in West Africa.

The session served as a critical juncture for the regional body as it navigates complex challenges while striving for a secure and prosperous future for its citizens.