Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has declared a state of emergency in the sub-region in response to the escalating wave of military coups.
ECOWAS Commission President, Omar Touray, announced the decision on Tuesday at the 55th Session of the Mediation and Security Council in Abuja, warning that the Commission would not sit idly by while the region slides into anarchy.
Citing the recent military interventions in Guinea-Bissau and Benin, as well as stalled political transitions in Guinea, Touray said: “West Africa now faces an average high-risk security rating.”
He also expressed concern over the growing trend of electoral exclusion and the increasing reach of terrorists and criminal networks across the region.
“Elections have increasingly become triggers for instability, while geopolitical pressures continue to strain regional cohesion,” he said.
Touray stressed the need for urgent reflection on the future of democracy in the region and increased investment in security.
“Events of the last few weeks have shown the imperative of serious introspection on the future of our democracy and the urgent need to invest in the security of our community.
As the memoranda before you show, country-by-country analyses indicate varying risk levels across our community—from high to medium—with an overall average of high risk, demanding immediate and concerted action.”
He listed the key risk factors as persistent military interventions, non-compliance with transition timelines, erosion of electoral inclusivity, expanding influence of terrorists and armed groups, and rising geopolitical pressures affecting regional diplomacy and cohesion.
Touray called for more frequent meetings of the Mediation and Security Council and emphasized the need for member states to pool resources to tackle terrorism, banditry, and cross-border crime.
Despite the daunting challenges, he reaffirmed ECOWAS’s commitment to its citizens.
“Let me assure our community citizens that we will not rest on our oars. We will continue to work harder to promote a peaceful, stable, and stronger region for the overall benefit of our people.”
