ECOWAS Moves to Strengthen West Africa Security Amid Coup Concerns

ECOWAS leaders have vehemently condemned recent coup attempts in Guinea-Bissau and Benin, warning of a significant threat to peace and democratic governance in West Africa.

The strong stance was adopted during the 68th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, held at the Nigerian State House. The meeting received backing from both the African Union and the United Nations, signaling a unified front against unconstitutional power grabs.

Participants emphasized the crucial need for heightened collective vigilance to prevent further destabilization through undemocratic means. They lauded the prompt deployment of the ECOWAS standby force to Benin following the attempted coup on December 7, describing it as a firm demonstration of the bloc’s commitment to upholding constitutional order and regional stability.

Vice President Kashim Shettima represented Nigeria at the summit, standing in for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He joined fellow Heads of State, including ECOWAS Chair and Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio, Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama, Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, The Gambia’s President Adama Barrow, Togo’s President Faure Gnassingbé, Côte d’Ivoire’s Vice President, and the Foreign Affairs Minister of Benin. Notably, Guinea-Bissau and Guinea, currently suspended from ECOWAS, were not represented at the deliberations.

The summit convened amidst ongoing political turbulence in West Africa, a region that has witnessed a series of coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger between 2020 and 2023. Recent events in Benin and Guinea-Bissau have only amplified concerns about a potential reversal of democratic progress across the sub-region.

Before the official commencement of the session, Heads of State engaged in extensive closed-door consultations to thoroughly assess emerging threats and broader regional challenges. Discussions then continued behind closed doors, focusing on key issues such as the future trajectory of the ECOWAS community, the 2025 annual report on the region’s state, security briefings, ongoing mediation efforts, and the political transition in Guinea.

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