The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has called upon the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to come together in tackling the root causes of insecurity in the region. With over 7,000 deaths and 800 terrorist incidents recorded between January and May 2024 in countries like Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali, Tuggar emphasized the urgent need for collective action against terrorism and violent extremism.
Highlighting the shared responsibility in the fight against terrorism, Tuggar stressed the importance of unity and unwavering commitment from all ECOWAS member states. He also urged for enhanced regional cooperation, effective intelligence sharing, and robust funding for the ECOWAS counter-terrorism force.
Addressing underlying issues such as climate change, migration, organized crime, and economic inequality was also emphasized by Tuggar to create a stable and prosperous region. The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray, expressed concerns over the ongoing standoff with the Alliance of Sahelian States, noting the challenges in governance and development deficits affecting regional integration efforts.