ECOWAS leaders convene in Abuja to address regional turmoil, military coups
West African leaders are gathering in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, to address the escalating crisis in the region, marked by a series of military takeovers in Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Niger.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has imposed strict economic sanctions on the military regime in Niger following the ousting of President Mohamed Bazoum in July.
As jihadist conflicts in the Sahel continue to destabilize the region, concerns are mounting that instability may spread to Gulf of Guinea states. The withdrawal of French military forces from the Sahel has added to these worries, particularly for Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Ivory Coast.
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ECOWAS Commission President Omar Touray has expressed his concerns, stating that, “These military coups are not only based on a fake narrative and false justifications; they are also a driver of insecurity in the region.”
The leaders will address the delayed transitions back to civilian rule in Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Niger. Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the current ECOWAS chair, will preside over the summit, with US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee participating to discuss support for Niger’s return to democratic rule and Sahel security.
Despite ECOWAS’s demand for Bazoum’s immediate return to the presidency, the military junta has detained him, stating a potential three-year timeline for a return to civilian rule. The meeting will also explore diplomatic avenues, with Togo’s President Faure Gnassingbe acting as a mediator.
As transitions to democracy face obstacles in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea, the possibility of military intervention in Niger remains on the table. The recent coup attempts in Sierra Leone and Guinea-Bissau have heightened concerns, further complicating the regional situation.