Nigeria urges ECOWAS to unite against terrorism, engage Sahel States

Nigeria has called on the Economic Community of West African States to strengthen regional cooperation against terrorism and transnational crimes while sustaining dialogue with Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger to address the region’s security and governance challenges.

The call was made by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, at the 56th Session of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council at the Ministerial Level held on Wednesday in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the minister highlighted Nigeria’s leadership role in promoting peace, security and democratic governance across West Africa.

On the funding of the regional bloc, Enikanolaiye urged member states to promptly pay the ECOWAS Community Levy, describing it as the strategic “motherload” for the effective functioning of the organisation.

He noted that Nigeria had continued to demonstrate leadership by meeting its obligations despite its domestic challenges.

Addressing the security situation in the region, the minister stressed the need for a reinvigorated regional response to terrorism, piracy, banditry and transnational organised crime.

He said ECOWAS must act collectively to tackle the growing threats “from a position of strength and crushing lethality,” while highlighting Nigeria’s intensified military operations and coordinated efforts among security, intelligence and law enforcement agencies, which he said had led to the rescue of kidnapped victims, arrests of criminal elements and improved security in the Gulf of Guinea.

On democracy and governance, Enikanolaiye reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to credible elections, assuring the council that preparations for the 2027 general elections were already underway.

He recalled Nigeria’s uninterrupted record of democratic transitions since 1999 and assured member states that the elections would be free and fair, reflecting the will of the Nigerian people.

The minister also invited ECOWAS member states and international observers to monitor the polls, saying Nigeria had “nothing to hide” regarding its electoral process.

Enikanolaiye further condemned what he described as rising Afrophobic violence in South Africa, where citizens of other African countries have reportedly been targeted.

He described the attacks as “most despicable” and reminded the council of Nigeria’s historic contributions to the anti-apartheid struggle through financial, material and diplomatic support.

The minister urged ECOWAS to adopt a firm and strongly worded position on the issue for submission to the African Union, in line with a proposal earlier put forward by Ghana.

He also advocated sustained engagement with Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, the three members of the Alliance of Sahelian States, as well as Guinea-Bissau, stressing the need for dialogue and inclusive approaches to strengthen democracy, regional peace, stability and development.

According to him, ECOWAS should adopt innovative and effective strategies for engaging the Alliance of Sahelian States in view of the evolving geopolitical environment and its impact on regional security.