The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has declared a state of emergency across the region, citing escalating coups, mutinies, and worsening insecurity.
The announcement was made by ECOWAS Commission President Omar Touray on Tuesday during the 55th session of the Mediation and Security Council at ministerial level in Abuja.
Touray said recent events underscore the “imperative of serious introspection on the future of our democracy and the urgent need to invest in the security of our community.”
He noted that country‑by‑country risk assessments show most member states at high risk, driven by:
- Persistent military interventions (including Guinea‑Bissau and Benin).
- Non‑compliance with transition norms in Guinea.
- Erosion of electoral inclusivity.
- Expanding terrorist and criminal networks.
- Growing geopolitical pressures undermining cohesion.
Touray warned that elections themselves have become a major trigger of instability.
A Call for More Action
Declaring the moment unprecedented, he said: “Faced with this situation, Excellencies, it is safe to declare that our community is in a state of emergency.”
He urged more frequent Council meetings in 2026 and called for pooled resources to confront terrorism and banditry, which operate across borders.
Priority areas include Guinea‑Bissau’s crisis, management of political transitions, rising exclusion, and safeguarding regional unity.
Touray highlighted worsening humanitarian conditions, citing UNHCR data:
- 7.6 million people forcibly displaced across West Africa as of October 2025.
- Over 6.5 million internally displaced persons.
- Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali host the largest displaced populations.
- Niger, Mali, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, and Togo host the highest asylum seeker numbers.
He stressed: “We must therefore take decisions and actions that will reverse this trend.”
Reaffirming Commitment
Despite the challenges, Touray assured citizens: “We will continue to work harder to promote a peaceful, stable and stronger region for the overall benefit of Community citizens.”
He called on member states to uphold constitutional norms and unity, welcoming new ministers including Nigeria’s Defence Minister, Rtd. General Christopher Musa, and Cabo Verde’s Foreign Minister José Luis Livramento.
Sierra Leone’s Foreign Minister and Council Chair, Timothy Kabba, urged decisive measures to safeguard democracy. He described the recent coup in Guinea‑Bissau and attempted coup in Benin as “sobering reminders of the fragility of our democratic gains.”
Kabba said his December 1 delegation to Guinea‑Bissau helped ease tensions and open dialogue.
“ECOWAS cannot and will not accept this development. They undermine everything our community stands for and threaten the peace and security of our citizens,” he declared.
The declaration of a regional state of emergency marks a turning point for ECOWAS. The bloc now faces the dual challenge of restoring democratic norms while tackling terrorism, displacement, and external pressures.
The coming months will test whether ECOWAS can translate its warnings into concrete, unified action.
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