ECOWAS declares state of emergency in West Africa

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) hasdeclared a state of emergency in the region. Omar Touray, president of the ECOWAS commission, relayed thedeclaration on Tuesday during the 55th session of the mediation and securitycouncil, at the ministerial level in Abuja. The meeting was convened following the string of coups andbotched mutinies in the sub-region. Touray said the developments highlight the “imperative ofserious introspection on the future of our democracy and the urgent need toinvest in the security of our community”. Last month, a group of military officers in Guinea-Bissautook over control of the government and suspended the electoral process. The coup came just days after a presidential election washeld as citizens awaited results. On Sunday, a group of soldiers announced a takeover of thegovernment in Benin Republic. Hours later, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) was deployed torestore constitutional order in the country. Bayo Onanuga, presidential spokesperson, said President BolaTinubu’s actions were based on requests from the Benin government. Late Monday, the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a breakawayECOWAS faction, accused Nigeria of violating its airspace, warning that it hadauthority to neutralise intruders. “Faced with this situation, Excellencies, it is safe todeclare that our community is in a state of emergency,” Touray said of thedevelopments. ‘ELECTIONS NOW MAJOR TRIGGER OF INSTABILITY’ Touray pointed to elections as a “major trigger ofinstability” in the region. “Despite the best of efforts of our community to establishconstitutional convergence principles, and to have a support programme forelections in our region in order to safeguard our democratic credentials andstability, we have continued to witness political practices that violate theseprinciples,” he said. The remarks come with Guinea, Benin, Gambia, and Cape Verdebilled to hold elections soon. “We also have to negotiate with our neighbours, the Allianceof Sahel States (AES), particularly the terms of our security cooperation as wecontinue to see the devastating effect of terrorists’ groups along our borderswith them,” he added. “We must confront these threats with the attention theydeserve. “We must pool our resources to confront the threats ofterrorism and banditry, which operate without respect for territorialboundaries.” Touray tasked the council with maintaining unity withinECOWAS amid geopolitical pressures.

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