Abuja: Dr Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, has declared a state of emergency due to increasing violent extremism, military coups, banditry, and political instability in the sub-region. Touray made this announcement during the 55th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council (MSC) at the Ministerial level in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Touray emphasized the urgent need for serious introspection on the future of democracy and investment in the sub-region’s security. He noted that a country-by-country analysis of ECOWAS member states reveals varying risk levels, from high to medium, necessitating immediate and concerted action. Touray stated that faced with the current situation, it is essential to declare the community in a state of emergency to effectively confront these threats.
He further stressed the importance of regular sessions of the mediation and security council beyond the two ordinary sessions for the next year. Touray highlighted the need to pool resources to combat terrorism and banditry, which operate without regard for territorial boundaries. He also pointed out that elections in the sub-region have become a significant trigger of instability, despite ECOWAS’ efforts to maintain constitutional convergence and democratic stability.
Touray emphasized the necessity for the MSC to constantly monitor the political and security situation in West Africa to guide and enable regional action. He also underscored the importance of negotiating with the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) neighbors for security cooperation amid terrorism’s devastating effects along shared borders. With upcoming elections in Guinea, Republic of Benin, the Gambia, and Cape Verde, and post-event management related to the coup in Guinea-Bissau and the coup attempt in the Republic of Benin, the region faces significant challenges.
The ECOWAS Commission’s president also highlighted humanitarian challenges, with 7.6 million individuals forcibly displaced across West and Central Africa as of October 2025, reflecting an increase since March. Of these, 6,506,270 are internally displaced persons, with Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali accounting for the highest figures, as sourced from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Additionally, there are 1,094,742 refugees and asylum seekers primarily hosted by countries such as Niger, Mali, Nigeria, and others.
Touray assured community citizens of continued efforts to promote a peaceful, stable, and stronger region for the benefit of all. He urged commitment to preserving regional unity, advancing peace, and upholding the Community’s Constitutional Convergence Principles.
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, Timothy Kabba, warned that the sub-region’s growing political and security turbulence threatens democratic governance and erodes public confidence. He stressed the need for leadership that translates commitment into action, as citizens are anxious and expect more than just expressions of concern.