Abuja: Dr. Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, has issued a stark warning regarding the escalating threat of terrorism in West Africa and the Sahel region. He emphasized that this surge poses an existential threat to the ECOWAS sub-region. Touray delivered this message while briefing the UN Security Council on regional counterterrorism efforts, as per a recent statement from the commission.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the briefing took place during the 10047th UN Security Council meeting, which focused on regional counter-terrorism cooperation in West Africa and the Sahel. Dr. Touray highlighted the tactics employed by terrorists, noting that they are increasingly engaging in ‘economic warfare’ by disrupting vital fuel supplies and trade routes. This strategy presents a significant threat to both Sahelian and coastal West African states.
Dr. Touray also detailed ECOWAS’ ongoing initiatives to rebuild trust and advance political dialogue with its former members, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. The commission is working to address the socio-economic factors that drive extremism. He outlined both kinetic and non-kinetic measures, including the accelerated operationalization of the ECOWAS Standby Force. Furthermore, President Touray reaffirmed ECOWAS’ commitment to collaborating with the UN, African Union, and other partners to ensure peace and stability in the region.
The Security Council also heard from UN Secretary-General Ant³nio Guterres, who expressed concern over the deteriorating security and humanitarian conditions in the Sahel. Guterres emphasized the importance of a cohesive regional and international response to combat the rise of terrorism and violent extremism in the sub-region.
The meeting was presided over by President Julius Bio of Sierra Leone, the current Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government. President Bio underscored that terrorism is a global challenge requiring renewed international cooperation to effectively address and overcome it.