Tinubu Urges Collective Action as ECOWAS Tackles Coups, Terror Threats

Tinubu Urges Collective Action as ECOWAS Tackles Coups, Terror Threats
Tinubu acknowledged existing disagreements among member states
Omar Touray noted that recent developments had demonstrated the strength of regional solidarity

ECOWAS heads of state and government have resolved to adopt a united approach to halt the wave of military coups and address growing security threats across West Africa.

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Eko Hot Blog reports that the resolution was reached on Sunday in Abuja during the 68th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority, amid persistent political instability and repeated military takeovers in parts of the Sahel region.

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Speaking at the summit, President Bola Tinubu warned that unconstitutional changes of government, terrorism, organised crime, arms proliferation and cyber insecurity posed shared challenges that no single country could tackle alone. He stressed that such threats transcend national borders and require coordinated regional action.

Tinubu acknowledged existing disagreements among member states but said these differences should not overshadow the bloc’s common identity and collective responsibility. According to him, West Africa’s security and prosperity are intertwined, making cooperation essential to achieving lasting stability.

He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to ECOWAS, describing unity as the foundation of the regional body and cautioning that internal divisions could weaken its ability to respond effectively to external threats.

Also speaking, ECOWAS Authority Chairman and President of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio, commended Nigeria for hosting the session and praised its leadership role in promoting constitutional order within the region. He described the meeting as a defining moment for ECOWAS and the more than 400 million people it represents.

Tinubu Urges Collective Action as ECOWAS Tackles Coups, Terror Threats

Bio also disclosed that ECOWAS plans to reduce air travel costs across the region from January 2026 as part of efforts to enhance regional integration.

ECOWAS Commission President, Omar Touray, noted that recent developments had demonstrated the strength of regional solidarity, citing swift collective responses to political instability in Guinea-Bissau and an attempted coup in the Benin Republic. He also announced the appointment of businessman Aliko Dangote as Chairman of the ECOWAS Business Council.

African Union Commission Chairman, Mahmoud Youssouf, said the session reinforced cooperation between the AU and ECOWAS in advancing democracy and regional stability, stressing that coup attempts remain unacceptable to the African Union.