The Economic Community of West African States has announced that the region is now effectively operating under a state of emergency, following a surge in political instability and security threats.
The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray, delivered the declaration on Tuesday at the 55th Session of the Mediation and Security Council at the ministerial level in Abuja.
Touray told delegates that recent events highlight the “imperative of serious introspection on the future of our democracy and the urgent need to invest in the security of our community.”
Speaking before ministers, diplomats and senior officials, he offered a stark appraisal of the current political atmosphere, pointing to a combination of developments that illustrate a fast-worsening security landscape.
He explained that ECOWAS member nations now face an overall “high risk” rating, drawn from country-specific assessments presented to the ministers.
“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 concerns raised, Touray warned that “elections have become a major trigger of instability in our community.”
He also referenced recent coup attempts and ECOWAS’s ongoing engagement with the Alliance of Sahel States as evidence that a coordinated regional push against terrorism and transnational crime has become unavoidable.
Calling the current situation unprecedented, he stated, “Faced with this situation, Excellencies, it is safe to declare that our community is in a state of emergency.”
Touray urged the Mediation and Security Council to meet more frequently over the next year, arguing that member countries must “pool our resources to confront the threats of terrorism and banditry, which operate without respect for territorial boundaries.”
He identified several areas that will need sustained ministerial attention, including the Guinea-Bissau crisis, unstable political transitions, rising exclusion from electoral processes and the need to protect regional unity amid mounting external pressure.
The ECOWAS Commission President also drew attention to the deteriorating humanitarian climate, citing UNHCR figures. He noted that “as of October 2025, approximately 7.6 million individuals are forcibly displaced across the region,” including over 6.5 million internally displaced persons.
The data shows Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali as hosting the largest displaced populations, while Niger, Mali, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire and Togo hold the highest concentration of asylum seekers.
Touray stressed, “We must therefore take decisions and actions that will reverse this trend.”
Despite the gravity of the situation, he reaffirmed the bloc’s dedication to its citizens.
“Let me assure our community citizens that we will not rest on our oars. We will continue to work harder to promote a peaceful, stable and stronger region for the overall benefit of Community citizens,” he said.
He appealed to member states to remain faithful to constitutional principles and regional solidarity: “Let us all remain committed to preserving regional unity, advancing peace and upholding the Community’s Constitutional Convergence Principles.”
Touray also acknowledged the presence of new delegates attending their first session.
“May I extend a warm welcome to the new Ministers of Defence of Nigeria, Rtd. General Christopher Musa, and Foreign Affairs of Cabo Verde, José Luis Livramento, who are joining today for the first time,” he said.
In his contribution, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chair of the Council of Ministers, Timothy Kabba, called for determined action to safeguard democratic governance as political tensions rise across the region.
Kabba pointed to the vulnerability of democratic institutions in several countries, drawing attention to the recent upheavals in Guinea-Bissau and Benin.
“The recent coup in Guinea-Bissau and the attempted coup in the Benin Republic are sobering reminders of the fragility of our democratic gains,” Kabba said.
He detailed Sierra Leone’s diplomatic outreach, including a high-level visit he led to Guinea-Bissau on December 1, 2025, to engage military figures and political leaders.
“His Excellency’s engagement helped ease tensions and opened the door for continued dialogue under ECOWAS’s guidance.
“These actions reflect our collective position. ECOWAS cannot and will not accept this development. They undermine everything our community stands for and threaten the peace and security of our citizens,” he said.
Kabba stressed that the Council must produce concrete results.
“The discussions we have today must move beyond just reaffirming principles. They must generate decisions that offer real hope and strengthen the credibility of our institutions.
“Our people no longer have patience for commitments that remain unfulfilled. They expect us to confront these challenges with seriousness, unity and purpose,” he added.
The meeting of the Mediation and Security Council serves as a precursor to the summit of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, who will consider the Council’s recommendations amid intensifying calls for decisive action to restore stability.
West Africa continues to grapple with escalating political turbulence, including coups, attempted coups and fragile transitions in several ECOWAS nations. Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso remain under military rule, with Guinea-Bissau recently added to the list following another intervention. The foiled coup attempt in Benin on Sunday further underscores the delicate state of democracy across the region.
These developments highlight a growing disregard for constitutional order, deepening electoral unrest and the expanding influence of armed groups and criminal networks that pose significant threats to regional peace.
