Terrorist tendencies in the African region have demonstrated the seriousness of the threat of terrorism to West Africa and the demand for firm and sustained countermeasures. Several Countries have undergone various acts such as kidnapping and hostage-taking, hijacking, explosive bombing, gruesome and unconscious murder and assassination, and other terrorist and mercenary raids that have deprived citizens of the Community of their basic human rights, including the rights to life and freedom from fear.
ECOWAS focuses on counter-terrorism actions and enables a common regional approach to the prevention and combating of terrorism within the Community. It also aims to harness support and resources at the continental and global level to improve the capabilities of Community Members to enforce their continental and transnational counter-terrorism obligations and to help them undertake rapid responses to terrorist acts.
The Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of the Heads of State and Government and Nigerian President Bola Tinubu states that the regional body has expended $13 million on counterterrorism measures in frontline states and humanitarian actions in the region. Preaching the Sixth Mid-Year Coordination discussion of the African Union in Accra, Ghana, Tinubu stated that the regional coalition was exploring other funding opportunities for its $2.6 billion Standby Force.
A report by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Nigerian President, Mr Ajuri Ngelale, stated that Tinubu said that ECOWAS has allocated $9 million to help persons of concern, including refugees, internally replaced persons, and asylum seekers. “The frontline member nations in the fight against terrorism have also been funded with $4 million under the ECOWAS Counter-Terrorism Humanitarian Response,” the statement stated.
According to the statement, Tinubu also stated that ECOWAS would soon convene a unique extraordinary session to debate its future. Speaking on the challenges facing the region, Tinubu stated that the bloc faces multiple threats, including member states withdrawing, geopolitical rivalries, terrorism, food insecurity, climate adaptation and the spread of misinformation and disinformation.
“He stated that ECOWAS would continue to dialogue with Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger to maintain harmony and will convene a Special Extra-ordinary Summit on the destiny of the Community,” the statement stated. Tinubu also revealed that the bloc assigned at least $14m to counterterrorism and humanitarian actions in the most affected member-states and that ECOWAS is exploring other budget options for its $2.6 billion Standby Force.
According to the statement, Tinubu described his counterparts that “The Community has activated a Standby Force to counter-terrorism and will continue to explore funding options.”
