Leaders from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) convened in Abuja, Nigeria, admitting the region is grappling with significant unrest and political instability.
Sierra Leone’s Julius Maada Bio, taking over as ECOWAS chairman from Nigeria’s Bola Tinubu, stated that West Africa is “at the crossroads,” facing both long-standing and new challenges.
These challenges include widespread insecurity in the Sahel and coastal states, terrorism, political instability, illicit arms flow, and transnational organized crimes.
Bio emphasized the urgent need to “overhaul our collective security architecture,” highlighting the importance of improved intelligence-sharing and rapid response mechanisms.
He also noted the strain on democratic space and disruptions to the constitutional order in parts of the region.
Over the past decade, nearly half of the original ECOWAS member states have experienced coups or attempted coups, leading to strained regional relations.
Earlier this year, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, all led by military juntas, withdrew from ECOWAS and formed their own bloc.
Insurgent groups are exploiting these strained relationships, gaining ground in the Sahel and Lake Chad regions.
They have recently intensified their offensives, carrying out violent raids in Mali, incursions into major cities in Burkina Faso, and inflicting heavy losses on the army in Niger.
Nigeria, the summit host, has also seen a recent surge in attacks targeting both civilians and military bases.
Outgoing ECOWAS chair Tinubu acknowledged “stark and consistent challenges that continue to impede our aspirations… violent extremism and other cross-border crimes that have continued to widen” and intensify.
Despite pledges by the military juntas in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger to prioritize security, they are struggling to contain the insurgents’ advance, which now poses a greater threat to neighboring West African coastal countries.