ECOWAS Lawmakers Call for Stronger Regional Action Against Rising Insecurity in the Sahel

FECOWAS lawmakers are calling for stronger regional cooperation against terrorism in the Sahel, warning that insecurity and political instability remain major threats to West Africa.

By Folarin Aluko

Lawmakers from the Economic Community of West African States Parliament have called for a stronger and more coordinated regional response to worsening insecurity and terrorism across the Sahel region, warning that political instability and extremist violence continue to threaten the future of West Africa.

Speaking at the conclusion of the First Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja, parliamentarians expressed growing concern over the expanding security crisis affecting countries across the Sahel, including Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.

Among those who addressed journalists were Dominic Napara of Ghana and Amodu Camera of The Gambia, both of whom stressed that terrorism and political instability remain some of the gravest threats facing the region.

The lawmakers noted that extremist violence, military coups, cross-border attacks, and growing humanitarian crises have continued to destabilize communities across West Africa, creating broader risks for neighbouring countries including Nigeria and Ghana.

According to Dominic Napara, the security situation in the Sahel can no longer be viewed as an isolated problem affecting only a few countries, warning that terrorist groups operating across the region pose a shared danger to the entire subcontinent.

“Terrorism is a common enemy that demands a united response,” he said, while emphasizing the need for stronger intelligence sharing, military cooperation, and diplomatic engagement among West African governments.

The lawmakers also raised concerns over the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from ECOWAS following political disputes and sanctions linked to military takeovers in those countries.

According to the parliamentarians, the exit of the three Sahel nations could weaken regional cooperation at a time when collective action is most needed to combat insurgency, organized crime, and economic instability.

The Sahel region has witnessed years of escalating violence involving extremist groups linked to ISIS and Al-Qaeda, with attacks frequently targeting civilians, military installations, schools, and humanitarian operations. Millions of people across the region have been displaced as insecurity continues to disrupt livelihoods and strain already fragile economies.

Security experts say the instability in the Sahel has increasingly affected coastal West African states, raising fears that terrorist networks could expand further south if regional governments fail to coordinate effectively.

The lawmakers urged ECOWAS leaders to prioritise dialogue, reconciliation, and strategic security partnerships capable of restoring stability while rebuilding trust among member states.

Analysts also believe the growing fragmentation within ECOWAS presents one of the biggest challenges facing the bloc since its establishment, particularly as geopolitical rivalries, military governments, and public dissatisfaction reshape politics across the region.

Despite the tensions, ECOWAS officials insist the regional body remains committed to preserving peace, economic integration, and democratic governance across West Africa.

As insecurity continues to evolve across the Sahel, observers say the coming months could prove critical in determining whether regional leaders can rebuild cooperation and contain one of Africa’s most persistent security crises.