The Economic Community of West African States, Wednesday 3 July 2024 urged member states to seek for actionable solutions to the security challenges confronting the sub-region.
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar made the call at the opening of the 52nd Session of the mediation and security Council at the Ministerial level in Abuja highlighted security and humanitarian challenges confronting the subregion.
He stressed that terrorism continues to threaten the collective well-being of the region, while violent extremists operate within and across national borders.
Tuggar who is the Chairman of the Council therefore urged them to come up with collective actions required for ECOWAS to overcome the mirage of challenges.
He said: ” We are gathering with a deep sense of purpose and unity — driven by our commitment to securing peace and political stability across our region. As we are all aware, our region faces grave security and humanitarian challenges. Terrorism continues to threaten our collective well-being. Violent extremists operate within and across our national borders, compromising not just our peace and security, but also our prospects for growth and development. Therefore, as we commence our deliberation today, let us be mindful of the critical threats we face – and the collective actions required to overcome them.
“The statistics from the ECOWAS Early Warning and Response Network (ECOWARN) paint a sobering picture. Between January and May 2024, our region has witnessed over 7,000 deaths as a result of more than 800 terrorist incidents. Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali have been particularly devastated by this relentless violence. This stark reality highlights the staggering human cost of insecurity, and underscores the urgency for a coordinated and decisive action to combat this menace.
” Terrorism does not recognise borders. From the Sahel to the coastal States, no country is immune to its devastating impact. It is therefore crucial for every country within ECOWAS, including those in the Sahelian belt, to understand that the fight against terrorism is not the burden of a few but a collective responsibility. Therefore, we must remain united, and demonstrate unwavering commitment and resolve to safeguard the lives and futures of our citizens.
“And as we join forces to find common solutions to the continuing challenge of violent extremism and foreign interference, we should also remain mindful of the broader challenge of co- operation to help tackle the underlying causes of instability in our region: climate change, migration, organized criminal activity, global terms of trade and access to financing. Our task today is to consider how best to meet the immediate symptoms of the condition we face – and also how to establish firmer foundations to reduce inequality and poverty and strengthen democracy.”
Challenging members of the council on providing a way forward for the region, Tuggar said, “Our deliberation today will therefore focus on the Review Process of the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance. It would be recalled that in an effort to further entrench democracy, the rule of law and good governance in the region, the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, during its Extraordinary Summit held in Accra, Ghana, in September 2021, initiated the review process.
“Furthermore, this meeting will discuss the transition processes in the region, with a view to making actionable recommendations, in order to achieve progress.
“Despite the challenges that confront our region, ECOWAS has continued to sustain its peace support operations in some Member States, including the ECOWAS Stabilisation Support Mission in Guinea- Bissau (SSMGB) and the ECOWAS Mission in The Gambia (ECOMIG), as well as the ongoing plans for the deployment of an ECOWAS Stabilisation Mission in Sierra Leone, given recent developments there. In this regard we will receive a detailed briefing on the Operationalisation of the ECOWAS Security Architecture, focusing on the ECOWAS Standby Force (ESF), including a progress report on the ECOWAS logistics depot in Lungi, Sierra Leone, and the outcome of the just concluded meeting of Ministers of Defence and Finance, convened to discuss financing options for the operationalisation of the ECOWAS Counter-Terrorism Force.
” ECOWAS has also been actively addressing humanitarian challenges in the region, through coordinated efforts and strategic interventions in Member States. Through these interventions, food items and other relief materials have been provided to communities most affected by natural disaster and insecurity. Other support includes the establishment of framework for disaster risk reduction, and collaboration with international partners to ensure a comprehensive response. Our discussion today should also focus on this important issue, with a view to evolving further strategies to address the region’s humanitarian challenges.
“Now more than ever, it is crucial for all Member States to remain united and work together in solidarity to harness the full gamut of our resources, intelligence, and capabilities to develop comprehensive strategies that will address our security challenges and support efforts to promote our region’s economic growth, peace, and political stability. This includes enhancing our security architecture, strengthening regional cooperation, encouraging effective intelligence sharing, and promoting resilience within our communities. The operationalisation of the ECOWAS counter- terrorism force and the review of our Regional Action Plans are steps in the right direction, but we must act further, to ensure that these initiatives are robustly funded and effectively implemented.
” As we deliberate over the various memoranda to be presented before us today, let us be guided by the principles of solidarity and shared responsibility, and reaffirm our commitment to peace, democracy, rule of law and good governance. Let us also pledge to work tirelessly for the security and prosperity of our region, for the overall benefit of our people and the generations to come.
” In conclusion, I urge us all to redouble our efforts in this collective endeavour, and stand together, united against the forces of terror and despair, while striving to build a West Africa that is secure, stable, and thriving for all its citizens.”
