West African leaders have reiterated the call for a multilateral approach to tackling terrorism in the sub-region.
Speaking during the opening of the 68th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government in Abuja on Sunday, Sierra Leone President Maada Bio, who is the Chairman, ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, urged member states to strengthen collective action, integrated intelligence systems, and coordinated operations as standby force to counter-terrorism.
According to him, the session marked a defining moment for West Africa and a turning point for the future of not less than 400 million people in the sub-region since the establishment of the community 50 years ago.
Bio said, “This session is, therefore, an opportunity to take stock of where we are, confront the realities before us, and chart a future for the next 50 years – a future worthy of hope of our people.
“West Africa faces some complex and evolving threats in its history: Terrorism, violent extremism, organised crime, and communal conflicts continue to destabilise communities and undermine development.
“The situation in the Sahel remains particularly grave.
“Instability in one nation is instability for all. No border can insulate us from violence or fragmentation.
“The courage of our defence and security forces deserve our utmost admiration. Yet, terrorist networks continue to exploit fragility and attempt to expand their influence.
“Our response must, therefore, be united and uncompromising. Security is not only a military obligation, it is a human imperative, essential for protecting families, livelihoods, and the dignity of our citizens.
“We must strengthen collective action, integrated intelligence systems, coordinated border operations, and the operationalisation of ECOWAS as a standby force for counter-terrorism.”
He commended West African ministers of finance and defence for modalities to ensure sustainable financing and raise a 1,650-personnel counter-terrorism brigade by the end of 2026, as well as dismantle extremism through paired security with governance, education, job creation, and community resilience.
He decried instability in Guinea-Bissau and the attempted coup in Benin Republic, saying such were reminders that democracy requires constant vigilance and principled action to prevent unconstitutional change of government and subvert constitutional order.
“The unified regional response reaffirms an essential principle. ECOWAS does not, and will not compromise on democratic governance.
“To our member states in transition, ECOWAS remains committed to supporting credible, inclusive, and time-bound pathways back to constitutional rule.
“Our citizens deserve legitimate leadership and accountable governance. We must uphold the ECOWAS protocol on democracy and good governance with clarity and moral conviction,” he said.
He identified single currency and the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme as strategic goals that will strengthen integration among the member states.
He said beginning Jan. 1, 2026, the sub-region would implement a landmark measure to reduce the cost of air travel across West Africa.
He added that in furtherance of the measure, member states will abolish air transport taxes and reduce passenger and security charges by 25 per cent.
In his address of welcome, Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu represented by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, stressed the need for member countries to deepen ties with one another, as a means of guarding against unconstitutional change of government.
Tinubu said, “Terrorism, violent extremism, unconstitutional changes of government, transnational organised crimes, arms proliferation, cyber insecurity, climate shocks, food insecurity, and irregular migration recognise no borders.
“No single member state, regardless of size or fame, can achieve enduring stability in isolation.
“Our security, prosperity, and resilience are indivisible. We must sit at the same table, speak with one voice, and act with shared resolve.
“Nigeria is here to reassure this authority of her proven fidelity to the ideals of our community and her unwavering commitment to collective action in defence of our common future.”
Dr Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, said although the regional response had been measured, the firm and swift action of community heads of state showed their commitment to democratic values and stability in the region.
“The challenge to multilateralism, rise of multipolarity, and pressure on African countries to make choices about partnerships, new technologies, entrenchment of terrorism and violent extremism in the Sahel have profound effects on our ability to attain the 2050-Vision objectives.
“We are reinvigorating our economic integration objectives by moving forward with the operationalisation of the ECOWAS Business Council.
“Through the council, we hope to get the private sector actors to help with mobilising regional capital and developing the comparative advantage of our member states,” Touray said.
