ECOWAS declares state of emergency in West Africa

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has declared a state of emergency in the region.

Omar Touray, president of the ECOWAS commission, relayed the declaration on Tuesday during the 55th session of the mediation and security council, at the ministerial level in Abuja.

The meeting was convened following the string of coups and botched mutinies in the sub-region in recent times.

Touray said the developments highlight the “imperative of serious introspection on the future of our democracy and the urgent need to invest in the security of our community”.

Last month, a group of military officers in Guinea-Bissau took over control of the government and suspended the electoral process.

The coup came just days after a presidential election was held as citizens awaited results.

On Sunday, a group of soldiers announced a takeover of the government in Benin Republic.

Hours later, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) was deployed to restore constitutional order in the country.

Bayo Onanuga, presidential spokesperson, said President Bola Tinubu’s actions were based on requests from the Benin government.

Late Monday, the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a breakaway ECOWAS faction, accused Nigeria of violating its airspace, warning that it had authority to neutralise intruders.

“Faced with this situation, Excellencies, it is safe to declare that our community is in a state of emergency,” Touray said of the developments.

‘ELECTIONS NOW MAJOR TRIGGER OF INSTABILITY’

Touray pointed to elections as a “major trigger of instability” in the region.

“Despite the best of efforts of our community to establish constitutional convergence principles, and to have a support programme for elections in our region in order to safeguard our democratic credentials and stability, we have continued to witness political practices that violate these principles,” he said.

The remarks come as Guinea, Benin, Gambia, and Cape Verde prepare to conduct elections soon.

“We also have to negotiate with our neighbours, the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), particularly the terms of our security cooperation as we continue to see the devastating effect of terrorists’ groups along our borders with them,” he added.

“We must confront these threats with the attention they deserve.

“We must pool our resources to confront the threats of terrorism and banditry, which operate without respect for territorial boundaries.”

Touray tasked the council with maintaining unity within ECOWAS amid geopolitical pressures.