By Abiola Olawale
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has officially declared a Regional State of Emergency across West Africa.
The declaration was announced by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, during the 55th session of the Mediation and Security Council in Abuja on Tuesday.
Touray explained that recent developments underline 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: “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.
“As you would have seen in the memoranda before you, the country-by-country analyses of our member states show different risk levels across our community, from high to medium, with an average of high risk, thereby demanding immediate and concerted action.
“The risk factors are the persistence of military interventions (Guinea-Bissau and the Republic of Benin just days ago); non-compliance with transition norms in Guinea, where we face a military leader turning civilian; growing erosion of electoral inclusivity across multiple states; expanding influence of terrorists, armed groups and criminal networks; and increasing geopolitical pressures affecting member states’ diplomacy and cohesion,” he explained.
Among the most troubling trends, Touray emphasised that “elections have become a major trigger of instability in our community.”
He also cited recent attempted coups and ongoing discussions with the Alliance of Sahel States, stressing the urgent need for a coordinated regional response to terrorism and cross-border criminal activity.
