ECOWAS Warns Of Growing Threats, Seeks Stronger Democratic Governance In West Africa

The Sierra Leone Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chair of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, Timothy Kabba, has urged West African leaders to renew their dedication to democracy, peace, and regional stability.

Kabba made the appeal on Wednesday in Abuja while closing the two-day 55th Session of the Mediation and Security Council at the ministerial level.

His remarks offered a broad assessment of the deepening political and security challenges confronting the subregion.

Speaking to foreign ministers, commissioners, ambassadors, and senior diplomats, Kabba noted that the gathering spent two days in “intensive deliberations on the issues that are affecting our community, the political, democratic, and security situation of our region.”

He cautioned that West Africa remained vulnerable to the growing strategic rivalry among global powers.

“Our region is not an exclusion from the vibrations that emanate from the contestation of the powers of the world in a rather multipolar world,” he said. He added that “ageing powers, vintage ones, and emerging ones are all beating their ways to the African continent.”

Reflecting on history, Kabba pointed out that Africa has long shouldered the weight of global shifts, citing the transatlantic slave trade and the exploitation ushered in by gunpowder. He warned that modern technology brings fresh dangers.

“In today’s technological age, Africa is still at the tail end of technology. Well, the threat of AI, we expect more pressure to be on the African continent and especially West Africa,” he stated.

Kabba identified climate change as another serious driver of instability, noting that the region now faces threats “even more trenchant and even more devastating” than entrenched problems such as poverty and disease.

“climate change and climate-induced farming crises” are worsening insecurity across the subregion, he said.

Despite global concerns that multilateral institutions are weakening, Kabba emphasised that ECOWAS remains a crucial symbol of shared identity and collective purpose.

“This is the reason why ECOWAS must triumph because it’s a values and culture-based community,” he told delegates.

He also raised concerns about recent unconstitutional political upheavals in the region, saying they often arise from deficiencies in democratic governance.

“Our population, our people and our society become so disgruntled that sometimes it almost feels like there’s legitimacy in the challenges and opposition against democracy,” he warned.

Kabba called on member-states to “assess ourselves as a community” and recommit to constitutional rule and the rule of law.

Citing the December 7, 2025 attempt to “subvert constitutional order in the Benin Republic,” he said the episode reinforced ECOWAS’ determination to uphold its zero-tolerance stance on coups.

“The leaders have committed themselves to ensure that Guinea-Bissau returns to constitutional order, that we make every effort to prevent the recurrence of coup d’etat in our sovereignty,” he added.

Addressing those who believe ECOWAS devotes excessive focus to security matters, Kabba argued that stability is the bedrock of progress.

“Without peace, security and stability, there will be no development, and this is the reason why ECOWAS places a premium on community peace, security and stability,” he said.

Kabba commended ministers for their dedication throughout the meeting and urged continued partnership. “Let’s continue to work together, let’s build trust, which is the bedrock of our partnership. Without trust, every effort, every resource we put into the workings of ECOWAS will not bear desirable fruit.”

He also celebrated regional integration efforts, especially ease of movement across borders.

At the opening session on Tuesday, ECOWAS Commission President Omar Touray declared that it is now “safe to declare a state of emergency” across the region.

West Africa is grappling with escalating instability, as several ECOWAS memberzstates face coups, attempted coups, and fragile political transitions.