The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is speeding up the deployment of its standby force to confront the growing threat of terrorism across the region, ECOWAS Commission President Omar Touray has announced.
Speaking before the United Nations Security Council on Monday, Touray warned that extremist activities have now spread beyond the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin, posing a direct threat to the entire West African region.
Economic Warfare by Terrorist Groups
Touray explained that extremist groups are increasingly engaging in economic warfare, targeting fuel supply lines and blocking major trade routes:
“These groups are deliberately restricting fuel and crippling trade across the subregion. Their aim is to destabilise economies, weaken states, and exacerbate humanitarian crises.”
Standby Force Deployment Plan
ECOWAS plans to initially deploy 1,650 personnel, with gradual expansion to 5,000 troops, supported by regional and international partners. Touray emphasized that coordinated efforts are critical to effectively tackle terrorism.
“No amount of money, no amount of equipment will help us overcome terror if we don’t collaborate and build synergy. Our current differences should not be exploited; they should be bridged,” he said.
Call for International Support
Touray highlighted the fragmentation of anti-terror initiatives among different partners, noting that this hampers effective cooperation. He called on the UN Security Council and the international community to support ECOWAS by providing sustainable financing and strengthening regional security efforts.
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