West Africa: Terrorists attacks kill 7,000 in five months

The Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has urged the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to unite to address the causes of insecurity in the region.

He observed that from January to May 2024, more than 7,000 people died in over 800 terrorist incidents across the region, with Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali particularly affected.

Tuggar, who spoke at the opening of the 52nd session of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council in Abuja on Wednesday (3 July), emphasised the need for collective action against terrorism and violent extremism, which threaten the stability and development of West Africa.

The minister, who is also the council’s chairperson, stressed that the fight against terrorism must be a shared responsibility, requiring unwavering commitment from all ECOWAS member states.

“Terrorism does not recognise borders. From the Sahel to the coastal States, no country is immune to its devastating impact. It is therefore crucial for every country within ECOWAS, including those in the Sahelian belt, to understand that the fight against terrorism is not the burden of a few but a collective responsibility,” Tuggar noted.

The minister noted ECOWAS’ ongoing peace support operations in countries like Guinea-Bissau and The Gambia and the plans for a stabilisation mission in Sierra Leone.

Additionally, he highlighted efforts to tackle humanitarian challenges, including disaster risk reduction and providing relief materials to affected communities.

The president of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray, expressed concern over the ongoing standoff with the Alliance of Sahel States(AES), emphasizing its detrimental impact on regional integration.

Touray highlighted persistent challenges in governance, development deficits, and evolving geostrategic and geopolitical dynamics posing threats to regional cohesion and integration efforts.

“The continued standoff between the Alliance of Sahelian States and ECOWAS is preoccupying and undermines the integrity of the regional integration agenda,” Touray stressed.

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