ECOWAS Ministers Of Defence, Finance, Meet Over Regional Security Challenges, Others.

By Ferdinand Olise

The President of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, Dr Alieu Touray, says the emergence of terrorist group activities within and around West Africa has become a matter of serious concern to governments and citizens of the region as all terrorists’ activities have serious implications for international trade and investment in the region.

Dr Touray who stated this in Abuja during the Meeting of the ECOWAS Ministers of Defence and Ministers of Finance, Friday 28 August 2025, said the activities of terrorist groups could dismantle regional trade and the movement of people, goods, and services within and across the West African region, thus reducing economic and social interaction among ECOWAS states.

“The Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2025 report reveals a significant shift in global terrorism patterns, with Africa emerging as the new epicenter of terrorist activities. The Sahel region, in particular, has seen a dramatic increase in terrorist operations, driven by political instability, weak governance, and ongoing conflicts. This shift marks a notable change from previous years, where the Middle East was the primary region affected by terrorism.
“Faced with the reality of terrorism as a phenomenon in the ECOWAS region, the regional body has been actively engaged in counter-terrorism efforts, deploying a multi-faceted approach. The approach covers developing a comprehensive Counter-Terrorism Strategy and Implementation Plan, establishing a Standby Force, and fostering regional cooperation on intelligence sharing, training, and humanitarian interventions”, Dr Touray said.

According to him, the Sahel region in particular, has seen a dramatic increase in terrorist operations, driven by political instability, weak governance, and ongoing conflicts, stating that this shift marks a notable change from previous years where the Middle East was the primary region affected by terrorism.

He informed that the regional body has been actively engaged in counter-terrorism efforts, deploying a multi-faceted approach which covers developing a comprehensive Counter-Terrorism Strategy, Implementation Plan, establishing a Standby Force, and fostering regional cooperation on intelligence sharing, training, and humanitarian interventions.

“This session is being held at a critical juncture in the evolution of our Community. ECOWAS is 50 years old, and it is still standing as an integrated and viable regional Community, notwithstanding some challenges.
The emergence of terrorist group activities within and around West Africa has become a matter of serious concern to governments and citizens of the region. Incidentally, all terrorists’ activities have serious implications for international trade and investment in the region.
“The activities of terrorist groups could dismantle regional trade and the movement of people, goods, and services within and across the West African region, thus reducing economic and social interaction among ECOWAS states. In effect, terrorism in whatever form has been identified by ECOWAS leaders as a major threat to the integration effort of the body”, he stated.

Dr Touray further stated that at their meeting in Abuja in June 27, 2024, the activation of a regional standby force to fight against terrorism, and unconstitutional change of government in the ECOWAS region was thoroughly considered.
He said the two options examined for the birth of the ECOWAS Standby Force (ESF) were:
A Force of 5,000-man brigade for deployment to restore sanity and order wherever security and peace are threatened in the ECOWAS region.

“The overall estimated cost for this size of the Brigade stood at about US$ 2.61billion for the first year of taking off. A Force of 1,650-Man Brigade by adopting a step-by-step approach towards the 5,000-Man Brigade target. The estimated cost for this option came out as US$ 481.5million.

“At the end of your deliberations, you gave us a directive to carry out an impact assessment of the increase of the community levy on the economy of Member States and the cost-effectiveness of the options”, he stated.

Meanwhile, findings from a team of consultants deployed to Member States to carry out the exercise was presented during the meeting, as Dr Touray said this will give a clearer picture of things based on the data collected from their respective countries, and to as well, help them to make informed decisions.

Dr Touray therefore added that fighting terrorism remains part of their top priority, and with support and commitment, ECOWAS citizens will be protected from the menace, and the Community will continue to thrive.
He expressed the Commission’s gratitude for the continued commitment and support of member States to the Community, as they strive to collectively make ECOWAS a stable, peaceful, united, and prosperous Community.

In his welcome address, the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Abubakar, says the region faces complex and evolving threats of terrorism and violent extremism, transnational organized crimes, and the resurgence of unconstitutional changes of government which not only undermine the region’s collective peace and security, but also threaten the economic stability and democratic aspirations of our people.

The Minister stated that the meeting marks a critical step forward s the region’s shared commitment to activate a regional counterterrorism force, a mechanism that embodies it’s regional resolve to safeguard sovereignty, uphold constitutional order, and protect the lives and livelihoods of our citizens.

He added that, as Ministers of Finance and Defence, they stand at the intersection of strategy and sustainability, adding that the decisions they make at the meeting must reflect both the urgency of their security imperatives, and the prudence required to ensure long-term viability.

He therefore commended the ECOWAS Commission for the actionable proposal put forward for consideration, and the Experts whose diligent work and insightful recommendations have laid the foundation for our deliberations as their report presents with key issues that demand careful consideration, ranging from financing modalities and operational readiness to governance structures and accountability frameworks.

“It is in this regards that I wish to commend the ECOWAS Commission for the actionable proposal put forward for our consideration, and the Experts whose diligent work and insightful recommendations have laid the foundation for our deliberations. Their report presents us with key issues that demand our careful consideration, ranging from financing modalities and operational readiness to governance structures and accountability frameworks.

“It is essential to underscore the importance of aligning our strategic objectives with predictable, sustainable and transparent funding modalities”, he said.

“Nigeria remains committed to working collaboratively to refine these pathways and ensure that the chosen funding structures reflect both national priorities and regional aspirations.
Let us approach this moment not merely as a meeting, but as a mandate. A mandate to act decisively, collaboratively, and with foresight. The people of ECOWAS are looking up to us, not just for protection, but for leadership”, the Minister added.

He therefore invited the Ministers to consider the modalities, not just as financial instruments, but as enablers of long-term impact, adding that whether through the adjustment of Community Levy, recovery of Community Levy arrears, Gross Domestic Product, GDP-based contributions, direct budgetary allocations, blended financing, or targeted partnerships, that each approach has been designed to support scalability, accountability, and measurable outcomes.

Speaking on the Modalities to mobilize funds for combating terrorism within the sub-region of defence – Sierra Leone, the Deputy Minister of Finance, Colonel Brima Muana Massaquoi (Retired), said despite the achievement of the regional bloc for the past fifty years, the sub-region continues to grapple with the emergence of numerous governance and security
threats, such as recurring conflicts, political instability, human trafficking, transnational crimes, humanitarian crisis and terrorism, among other challenges.

“Terrorism in all its forms and tactics, targets the very foundations of our societies and directly challenge our shared values of peace, justice and human dignity. It also dismantles human rights, fundamental
freedoms, and democracy. It further threatens the territorial sovereignty and security of our nations and seeks to destabilise legitimate governments”, he said.

He therefore emphasized that combating the threat requires leading counter-terrorism efforts, coordinate counter-terrorism initiatives, bolstering capacity building, as well as, developing capabilities to prepare and respond appropriately.

“The engagement of our international partners to combat the spill over of violent extremism within the sub-region remains key. The fight against terrorism
should be seen and accepted as a shared security challenge that demands a unified, strategic and sustainable response.
In as much as the financial experts would come up with a comprehensive and workable funds mobilisation scheme, let us be reminded that we need to explore diverse, inclusive and innovative funding mechanisms.
These may include but not limited to leveraging on pledges from Member States, Regional Financial Institutions, establishing Specialised Regional Security Funds and engaging our international partners for Finance and Technical Assistance.

He underscored the importance of stringent oversight mechanisms, tracking systems and auditing processes, to ensure that funds are specifically channelled towards the combating of terrorist
activities particularly in the areas of effective counter-terrorism operations, intelligence sharing, border security and community resilience programmes.

“Going forward, its noteworthy that we foster a shared sense of ownership and commitment across member states. The process will include regular update of reports, assessment and evaluation of strategies based on evolving terrorist threats and lessons learnt. The accomplishment of our shared endeavours will largely depend on our collective efforts to mobilise, as well as leverage on troops requirements”, he added.

He further urged that consideration be made for Public-Private Partnerships(PPP), as they commit themselves to prioritising capacity building through investment, training, intelligence-gathering, infrastructure, and Coordination Centers to maximise the impact of available funds.