ECOWAS declares state of emergency across West Africa amid coups
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has declared a state of emergency in the West African sub-region.
The development follows several military coups which have truncated democratic governance in member states.
Former democratic nations such as Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Guinea-Bissau are now under military rule. The Republic of Benin would have made the list save for its prompt response in foiling a recent coup attempt.
The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray, declared the emergency status in the region on Tuesday during the 55th session of the mediation and security council in Abuja.
Speaking during the session, Touray stated that there was urgent need to invest in security within the region, noting that ECOWAS member states face a high risk rating, on country-by-country analyses.
“Events of the last few weeks have shown the imperative of serious introspection on the future of our democracy and the urgent need to invest in the security of our community.
“As you would have seen in the memoranda before you, the country-by-country analyses of our member states show different risk levels across our community, from high to medium, with an average of high risk, thereby demanding immediate and concerted action.
“The risk factors are the persistence of military interventions (Guinea-Bissau and the Republic of Benin just days ago); non-compliance with transition norms in Guinea, where we face a military leader turning civilian; growing erosion of electoral inclusivity across multiple states; expanding influence of terrorists, armed groups and criminal networks; and increasing geopolitical pressures affecting member states’ diplomacy and cohesion,” he stated.
He stressed that elections have become a propeller of instability within the community, while emphasizing the urgent need for a regional response against terrorism and criminal activity across borders.
“Faced with this situation, Excellencies, it is safe to declare that our community is in a state of emergency,” Touray declared, adding that ECOWAS must “pool our resources to confront the threats of terrorism and banditry, which operate without respect for territorial boundaries”.
He call on the body to assume its rightful oversight and security roles within the community, while also shedding light on worsening humanitarian conditions in West Africa based on data from UNHCR . “As of October 2025, approximately 7.6 million individuals are forcibly displaced across the region,” he noted.
