Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar has revealed that over 7,000 people have perished in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) region from January to May 2024 due to 800 terrorist attacks. This grim statistic was disclosed during the 52nd ECOWAS Ministerial Meeting of the Mediation and Security Council’s opening ceremony. Tuggar identified Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger as the most severely affected countries.
Drawing data from the ECOWAS Early Warning and Response Network (ECOWARN), Tuggar described a dire security situation in West Africa, underscoring the severe humanitarian and security challenges terrorism poses to the region. He noted that violent extremist groups operate across national borders, jeopardizing not only peace and security but also economic growth and development prospects.
Tuggar urged the necessity of collective action to combat these threats, emphasizing the need for unity among ECOWAS nations. He stated,
“Terrorism does not recognize borders, affecting all countries from the Sahel to the coastal states. Therefore, fighting terrorism is a collective responsibility, requiring unwavering commitment to safeguard our citizens’ lives and futures.”
He also highlighted the need to tackle underlying causes of instability, such as climate change, migration, organized crime, global trade terms, and access to financing. Despite the daunting challenges, Tuggar pointed out that ECOWAS has been actively maintaining peace support operations in several member states, including missions in Guinea-Bissau, The Gambia, and plans for a stabilization mission in Sierra Leone.
READ ALSO: https://thecrux.com.ng/iata-praises-nigeria-for-resolving-831m-foreign-airline-funds-issue/
Additionally, Tuggar mentioned that ECOWAS has been addressing regional humanitarian challenges through coordinated efforts and strategic interventions, providing food and relief materials to communities impacted by natural disasters and insecurity.
ECOWAS Commission President Omar Alieu Touray, in his remarks, noted that as ECOWAS celebrates its 49th anniversary, the region faces multiple, interconnected threats, including those in the Sahel and Gulf of Guinea. Touray described issues such as illegal fishing, drug trafficking, toxic waste dumping, governance deficits, and geopolitical competition as significant challenges.
He also highlighted the spread of misinformation and disinformation that fosters mistrust and undermines social cohesion. Despite these challenges, Touray pointed to democratic successes in Senegal and Liberia as rays of hope, along with ongoing reconciliation processes in Sierra Leone and The Gambia facilitated by ECOWAS.
Touray expressed concern over the ongoing standoff between the Alliance of Sahelian States and ECOWAS, which undermines regional cohesion and integration. To address these issues, the Commission has initiated preparations for a Special Summit on the Future of Regional Integration in West Africa.
The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNOWAS, Mr. Leonardo Simao, praised ECOWAS for its continuous efforts to address regional challenges. He emphasized that the United Nations remains committed to supporting these efforts through engagements with various stakeholders, aimed at finding lasting solutions to security challenges, consolidating democracy, and promoting development in West Africa.
