ECOWAS Urges Regional Cooperation to Tackle Security Threats

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has identified increasingly complex security threats in West Africa that require stronger regional cooperation. During the Pre-west Africa Peace and Security Dialogue (WAPSeD) 2027 Strategy and Review Meeting in Abuja, Dr. Babatunde Afolabi, Director of Political Affairs at ECOWAS, highlighted interconnected challenges such as violent extremism, terrorism, political tensions, organized crime, and humanitarian pressures.

Afolabi, represented by Gnacabja Constant, stressed that sustainable peace cannot be achieved by a single institution or government and emphasized the importance of the "three Ps": People, prevention, and partnership. He acknowledged the need for good analysis to translate into actionable recommendations and admitted that ECOWAS is learning from criticisms regarding poor communication.

Charles Ukeje, Board Chair of the Building Blocks for Peace Foundation, urged for the meaningful participation of marginalized groups, while Rafiu Lawal, Executive Director of the foundation, pointed out new threats like disinformation and drug trafficking that are eroding public trust.