“Nigeria Calls for ECOWAS Unity, Renewed Sahel Engagement to Counter Rising Terrorism in West Africa”

“Nigeria Calls for ECOWAS Unity, Renewed Sahel Engagement to Counter Rising Terrorism in West Africa”

Nigeria has urged the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to strengthen regional unity and deepen engagement with countries in the Sahel as part of efforts to confront terrorism and transnational organized crime across West Africa.

The call comes amid growing security challenges and political divisions in the region, particularly following the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from ECOWAS and the formation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). Nigeria’s position reflects growing concerns that fragmented security cooperation could undermine collective efforts against extremist groups operating across porous borders.

Regional security experts and international observers have repeatedly stressed the need for stronger intelligence-sharing, coordinated border security and closer cooperation among West African states. The Security Council Report has similarly highlighted the importance of dialogue and practical cooperation between ECOWAS, the AES, the African Union and other regional and international partners in strengthening counter-terrorism efforts.

ECOWAS has also taken steps to reopen channels of communication with the AES countries. In March 2026, the regional bloc appointed former Guinean Prime Minister Lansana Kouyaté as its chief negotiator to lead discussions with Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, with the aim of facilitating dialogue and promoting regional stability and cooperation.

The renewed push for regional cooperation comes as West Africa continues to face threats from terrorist networks, cross-border criminal groups and instability that increasingly affect both Sahelian and coastal countries. ECOWAS has recently continued efforts to strengthen its peace and security architecture, including preventive diplomacy, collective security and regional coordination.

For Nigeria, greater cooperation between ECOWAS and Sahel countries could help improve intelligence coordination, disrupt terrorist movements and strengthen responses to transnational crimes. However, rebuilding trust between the regional bloc and the AES will remain a major challenge, given the political differences that led to the Sahel countries’ withdrawal from ECOWAS.

As West Africa confronts an increasingly complex security environment, Nigeria’s call underscores the growing recognition that terrorism does not respect national borders and that sustainable regional security will require cooperation, dialogue and a coordinated response across political divides.