ECOWAS: Nigeria Urges Stronger Regional Action to Combat Terrorism

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, has called on Member States of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to strengthen regional cooperation in tackling terrorism, transnational crimes and rising Afrophobic violence on the continent.

Ambassador Enikanolaiye made the call while participating in the 56th Session of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council at the Ministerial Level, held in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Responding to remarks by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, the Chairperson of the Council and Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Timothy Musa Kabba, as well as other regional security officials, the Minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional peace, security, democracy and economic integration.

On the ECOWAS Community Levy, Ambassador Enikanolaiye urged Member States to fulfil their financial obligations promptly, describing the levy as the lifeblood of the regional body.

He noted that despite its domestic challenges, Nigeria has continued to demonstrate leadership by meeting its commitments to ECOWAS.

Addressing the growing threat of terrorism, piracy, banditry and transnational organised crime, the Minister advocated a more coordinated and robust regional response.

He highlighted Nigeria’s intensified security operations, improved collaboration among security, intelligence and law enforcement agencies, and the resulting successes in rescuing kidnapped victims, apprehending criminal elements and improving maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.

On democracy and good governance, Ambassador Enikanolaiye reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to credible democratic governance and announced that preparations were underway for the country’s 2027 general elections.

He assured the Council that the elections would be free, fair and transparent, reflecting the will of the Nigerian people, and invited ECOWAS Member States and international observers to monitor the electoral process.

The Minister also condemned the resurgence of Afrophobic violence in South Africa, describing attacks against fellow Africans as unacceptable and contrary to the ideals of African unity.

He recalled Nigeria’s historic contributions to the struggle against apartheid through financial, diplomatic and material support, and urged ECOWAS to adopt a firm common position for presentation to the African Union on the issue.

Ambassador Enikanolaiye further called for sustained dialogue and constructive engagement with Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, members of the Alliance of Sahelian States (AES), as well as continued attention to developments in Guinea-Bissau.

He stressed the need for innovative strategies to promote regional stability, democratic governance and collective security in West Africa and the Sahel.

The Minister reiterated Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to working with ECOWAS and other regional partners to advance peace, security, democratic governance and sustainable development across the sub-region.

Uju Oparaji