The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has sounded the alarm, asserting that the recent military coups in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger are heightening insecurity in the region. This revelation was made by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray, during his address at the 51st Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council at Ministerial Level in Abuja.
According to Touray, the military coups, which occurred in Burkina Faso on January 23, 2022, in Mali on May 24, 2021, and in the Niger Republic on July 26, 2023, have significantly contributed to the prevailing security challenges in the region.
“In just Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, a total of 4.8 million people are facing food insecurity, 2.4 million people have been internally displaced, and close to 9,000 schools remain closed,” Touray emphasized, outlining the grave humanitarian impact of the unrest.
Touray further highlighted the complexities stemming from the transition processes in Mali, Guinea, and Burkina Faso, which have been impeded by the deteriorating security situations. He expressed concerns about the attempted coup d’état in Niger, which has diverted attention from supporting these transition processes and fostered a semblance of division between the transition countries and ECOWAS.
The ECOWAS Commission President condemned the military coups as not only being rooted in false justifications but also as key contributors to the region’s insecurity. He underscored the urgent need to address the adverse effects of these coups in order to restore stability and peace to the region.
The dire situation in these countries calls for immediate attention and decisive action to alleviate the suffering of millions of people and restore peace and security. ECOWAS’s stance underscores the pressing need for a collaborative and concerted effort, both within the region and from the international community, to address the root causes of the insecurity and pave the way for a sustainable solution.
