The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has declared a state of emergency across the region, citing escalating political instability, persistent military interventions and worsening security threats.
The announcement was made on Tuesday by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray, during the 55th Session of the Mediation and Security Council at the ministerial level in Abuja.
Addressing ministers, diplomats and senior officials, Touray offered a stark assessment of West Africa’s condition, warning that recent developments demand “serious introspection on the future of our democracy” and decisive investment in regional security.
According to analyses presented to ministers, ECOWAS member states currently rank between medium and high risk, with an overall average of “high risk” — a situation Touray described as unprecedented.
“The events of the last few weeks have shown the imperative of serious introspection on the future of our democracy and the urgent need to invest in the security of our community,” he said.
Touray listed the persistence of coups — including recent interventions in Guinea-Bissau and an attempted coup in Benin Republic — as key indicators of democratic backsliding. He also highlighted non-compliance with transition timelines in Guinea, growing political exclusion in several countries, the expanding footprint of terrorist and criminal networks, and mounting geopolitical pressures undermining regional cohesion.
“Elections have become a major trigger of instability in our community,” he warned, emphasising the need for coordinated responses to terrorism and cross-border criminality.
In declaring the state of emergency, Touray called for more frequent meetings of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council throughout the coming year and urged member states to pool resources to confront the worsening threats.
He also drew attention to the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the region. According to recent UNHCR data, 7.6 million people are now forcibly displaced across West Africa, including more than 6.5 million internally displaced persons. Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali host the highest numbers.
“We must take decisions and actions that will reverse this trend,” Touray said, assuring citizens that ECOWAS remains committed to building a stable region despite the mounting challenges.
Touray also extended a welcome to two ministers attending the session for the first time: Nigeria’s newly appointed Defence Minister, retired General Christopher Musa, and Cabo Verde’s Foreign Affairs Minister, José Luis Livramento.
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In his remarks, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chair of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, Timothy Kabba, called for firm action to protect democratic governance amid deepening political crises.
Kabba referenced the recent coup in Guinea-Bissau and attempted coup in Benin Republic, describing them as “sobering reminders of the fragility of our democratic gains.”
He detailed his recent diplomatic mission to Guinea-Bissau, which he said helped reduce tensions and open channels for continued dialogue under ECOWAS leadership.
“These actions reflect our collective position. ECOWAS cannot and will not accept this development. They undermine everything our community stands for,” Kabba said.
With West Africa facing a convergence of political upheaval, insecurity and humanitarian strain, Kabba urged the gathering to ensure the summit produces concrete outcomes.
“Our people no longer have patience for commitments that remain unfulfilled,” he said. “They expect us to confront these challenges with seriousness, unity and purpose.”
The Mediation and Security Council’s meeting precedes the summit of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, who are expected to deliberate on the recommendations as pressure mounts to restore stability in a region facing one of its most turbulent periods in decades.