KEY POINTS
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West Africa terrorism threat now targets trade and fuel supply networks.
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Regional instability is worsened by military coups and weak security structures.
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ECOWAS is deploying a 1,650-strong standby force to counter the threat.
Omar Touray, the head of the Economic Community of West African States Commission, has cautioned that the proliferation of terrorism in West Africa and the Sahel has escalated to a level that jeopardizes the region’s future. He presented the evaluation to the United Nations Security Council at its 10,047th meeting, when members examined the ongoing decline in security and the inadequacies of existing counterterrorism measures.
West Africa terrorism threat intensifies
The ECOWAS Commission stated on Friday that Touray emphasized the increasingly economic nature of the attacks during the briefing. He stated that armed factions are obstructing fuel supply and trade routes in multiple states, transforming their activities into what he termed economic warfare. He stated that the disruptions present an existential threat not only to Sahelian nations but also to coastal countries now confronting spillover risks.
The Commission stated that Touray delineated the bloc’s reaction, encompassing political engagement and security actions. He outlined initiatives to restore confidence with former ECOWAS members Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger following their exit from the organization. He also emphasized actions aimed at addressing the economic conditions that render populations susceptible to recruitment by extremist organizations.
ECOWAS responds to West Africa terrorism threat
UN Secretary-General António Guterres also spoke during the gathering, cautioning about the deteriorating humanitarian and security conditions in the Sahel. He urged for synchronized regional and international efforts to impede the proliferation of extremist organizations that persist in expanding over vulnerable border areas.
According to punch, President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, presiding as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, informed the Council that terrorism has emerged as a worldwide threat necessitating enhanced collaborative efforts among nations.
Over the past decade, violence associated with extremist organizations has escalated throughout the area as al-Qaeda and Islamic State affiliates expanded their influence from northern Mali into Burkina Faso and Niger. Their actions capitalized on fragile governmental institutions, permeable borders, and instability induced by multiple military coups.
Political upheavals in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Guinea have further undermined regional collaboration. The withdrawal of significant international missions, like as France’s Operation Barkhane and the UN’s MINUSMA, eliminated essential external assistance as extremist networks expanded their influence.
In light of such context, ECOWAS is readjusting its security strategy. The bloc is expediting initiatives to establish a counterterrorism standby force. The initial deployment will commence with 1,650 personnel and subsequently expand to 5,000 when further resources are acquired.
