The President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, Dr. Alieu Omar Touray, has raised fresh concerns over the escalating security situation in the subregion, warning that terrorism is rapidly spreading beyond the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin into other parts of West Africa.
Speaking at a United Nations Security Council session in New York, United States, Dr. Touray revealed that early-warning data recorded more than 450 terrorist attacks and over 1,900 deaths in 2025 alone.
A report by NTA Network News, said the meeting focused on strengthening regional cooperation in the fight against terrorism in West Africa and the Sahel, with a call for enhanced national security and defence mechanisms.
Dr. Touray said extremist groups are intensifying their tactics by engaging in “economic warfare,” including restricting fuel supply and crippling trade routes across the region. He noted that in response, ECOWAS is fast-tracking the deployment of its standby force—beginning with 1,650 personnel and expected to scale up to 5,000 with support from member states and international partners.
He warned that fragmented national efforts, political mistrust and weak coordination continue to undermine collective security responses. Dr. Touray urged the Security Council to help rebuild confidence among stakeholders, ensure predictable financing, and strengthen unified regional action to effectively confront the growing threats.
Credit: NTA Network News
