Insecurity: West Africa in a state of emergency – ECOWAS president

The President of ECOWAS, DR Omar Alieu Touray, has declared that West Africa is currently in a state of emergency following the security challenges bedevilling the sub-region. Touray made this observation at the 55th Ordinary session of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council (MSC) at the Ministerial level on Tuesday in Abuja while delivering his […]

The President of ECOWAS, DR Omar Alieu Touray, has declared that West Africa is currently in a state of emergency following the security challenges bedevilling the sub-region.

Touray made this observation at the 55th Ordinary session of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council (MSC) at the Ministerial level on Tuesday in Abuja while delivering his welcome statement.

He identified elections as a major trigger of instability in the sub-region, lamenting the rising political practices that violate democratic principles.

“Elections have become a major trigger of instability in our Community”, he said. “Despite the best efforts of our community to establish constitutional convergence principles and to have a support programme for elections in our region in order to safeguard our democratic credentials and stability, we have continued to witness political practices that violate these principles.

“In the coming days and months into next year, we will be witnessing elections in Guinea, the Republic of Benin, The Gambia, and Cape Verde. We will also be managing the post-events relating to the Coup in Guinea-Bissau and the coup attempt in the Republic of Benin.

“We also have to negotiate with our neighbours, the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), particularly the terms of our security cooperation, as we continue to see the devastating effect of terrorist groups along our borders with them.

“Faced with this situation, Excellencies, it is safe to declare that our community is in a state of emergency.”

Touray, therefore, called for the sessions of the mediation and security council to be organised more regularly beyond the two ordinary sessions for the next one year.

“We must confront these threats with the attention they deserve. We must pool our resources to confront the threats of terrorism and banditry, which operate without respect for territorial boundaries,” he said.

The ECOWAS president said the issues requiring the Council’s constant attention include: Managing Guinea-Bissau’s coup and post-attempted coup in Benin, ensuring a credible and peaceful transition in Guinea and enforcing constitutional norms in all the elections coming up for the next year.