ECOWAS, Religious Leaders, Support Global Fight Against Terrorism.
By Ferdinand Olise
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), religious leaders and other key stakeholders have deliberated and come up with resolutions to tackle terrorism, and violent extremism in the region.
The Stakeholders from Nigeria, Senegal, Ghana, Chad, Niger Republic, Benin, Guinea, Morocco, Mauritania, and all over the world, converged in Abuja for the the closing session of the conference of the West African Islamic Conference on security and governance,
Speaking at the conference, President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Touray, said the gathering was a demonstration of their continued commitment to the pursuit of peace and security in the West African region.
“In the last decade, terrorism and violent extremism have exerted a huge toll on the socio-economic well-being of our people. West Africa and the Sahel have become the front line of the global fight against terrorism. The 2025 Global Terrorism Index Report reveals a significant shift in global terrorism patterns,
with Africa emerging as the new hub of terrorist activity. The Sahel region in particular has seen a dramatic increase in terrorist operations.
“For us now, the Sahel region is the new hub of terrorist activity, for us in ECOWAS, we have emphasised the application of non-kinetic and kinetic strategies in tackling the menace. Our Regional Action Plan Against Terrorism outlines a series of initiatives in this regard. This plan provides roles for multiple actors from both states and non-state institutions”
Therefore, this conference, which examines the role of Islamic organizations in countering terrorism and violent extremism, fits squarely within the regional non-kinetic initiatives.
“Terrorism and violent extremism are threats to our communities. We must therefore work both to prevent extremism and tackle terrorism wherever it occurs. In a region with a youthful population, it is important to pay attention to the situation of these youths and support them to channel their energies to positive activities. The situation of the traditional Quranic schools, known as the Sangaya in Nigeria, Makaranta, in Ghana, Idara in the Senegambian area, is the focus of our preventive action against radicalization and violent extremism in this conference”.
He said the condition of students in the region is one that demands urgent attention, hence the need to improve and modernise the school system and convert them into conducive schools.
“These schools accommodate millions of young people in the region, but they are not given the attention they require. The situation makes both the teachers and their students vulnerable to recruitment by criminal organisations, including terrorist groups. We cannot therefore ignore these important institutions and their efforts to improve the quality of education and democracy. We are therefore pleased to see that the custodians of these traditional Quranic schools have come forward to take the lead in their modernisation across West Africa and the Sahel.”
“ECOWAS invited all stakeholders here and elsewhere to support this initiative led by the Jamiat Ansadu Gini Acti Janja. In supporting our efforts, we have also supported the administration of the program called the
Religious Organizations. We are also complementing the efforts of our national governments and regional organisations. In this regard, I wish to salute the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who has established the National Commission for Al-Majiri and Out-of-School Children’s Education to support the provision of quality religious organizations.
“We are also supporting the administration of the Program for Religious and Non-Religious Education. In Ghana, there are policy discussions on having a national curriculum for Makaranta to standardise the schools and improve career opportunities for students, as well as the integration of the Makaranta teachers into the Ghana education services. In Senegal, the government is seeking to reform the drafts by launching a national census in June this year.
“The goal is to better supervise the Taliban children, eradicate forced begging, and support educational structures that meet standards.Besides these government initiatives, there are others led by foundations and non-governmental organizations. I am pleased to see that the African Union Commission, through its hard work, has been able to achieve this goal”.
He appreciated the efforts towards implementing joint projects for the modernisation of the traditional Quranic schools.
“Protecting these schools, their students and teachers will end the phenomena of street begging, child abuse, and the vulnerability of the Quranic school cause to radicalization and recruitment by extremism and terrorist groups.
“Let us spare no efforts to secure West Africa and the Sahara from insecurity and reverse the negative indices for a stable, peaceful, united, and prosperous Africa”, he added.
In his speech, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Amb. Yussuf Tugar who was represented by his Special Assistant on Diplomacy and Foreign Relations, Ambassador Ahmed Sule, appreciated the leaders noting that their efforts demonstrate that the quest for peace, stability in the region is a shared moral and strategic responsibility.
“Nigeria stands proud, a multi-religious nation, founded on tolerance, justice and mutual respect.
Our Constitution guarantees every citizen the freedom of worship, ensuring that no peace is marginalized and that diversity remains our strength, not our division.
“As a people, we are bound together by a shared policy of peace, compassion and human dignity. For more than 15 years, West Africa and the Sahel status of complex insecurity, terrorism, violent extremism, and the humanitarian crises that while the military and security responses have been commendable and essential, experience has shown that systemic peace cannot be achieved by force alone.
“It must be anchored on education, inclusion, and restoration of moral and social order within our communities. At the heart of these challenges lies the traditional Islamic education system, popularly
known as Angaya, which for centuries has been a source of spiritual and moral ground for millions of young Africans.
Yet in recent times, it has also become a space where vulnerability can be exploited. This reality compels us, as leaders of peace and governance, to take collective action.
“This conference, therefore, provides an invaluable opportunity to build a new consensus, one that reaffirms Islam’s true message of peace, compassion, and justice, one that promotes the reform and modernization of the traditional learning system while preserving our cultural and spiritual essence, and one that strengthens collaboration between governments, religious authorities, and civil society, and is the root cause of this radicalization.
“Nigeria fully supports the objectives of this initiative to develop actionable strategies, to adopt regional declaration, and to establish mechanisms, for integrating interfaith organizations into peace and security efforts across West Africa”
“We must leverage air force frameworks, particularly the supplementary protocol on democracy and good governance, and the African Union’s silencing the guns in Africa agenda, to ensure that peace-based engagement becomes the central pillar of regional security cooperation.
On this topical issue, I urge all of us to move from dialogue to delivery”, he said.
He therefore urged them to translate their shared values into practical commitments in education reform, in community resilience, and in deregulation initiatives to restore hope and dignity to our youth.
He further stated that this reform is not an abandonment of tradition, but a renewal of purpose which ensures that every child who learns Quran also learns how to live productively, peacefully, and honorably in the society.
On his part, the Royal Father of the Day, Emir of Kano, His Royal Highness, Muhammadu Sanusi II, emphasised the culmination of their collective efforts to address the pressing challenges of terrorism, violent extremism, and governance in West Africa and the Sahel where over 40 million children are out of school and terrorism-related deaths have increased by 250% in the past decade.
He said they recognize the central role of Islamic organizations in preventing violent extremism and promoting peace as emphasized in the Qur’an
“We have also acknowledged the need for a coordinated cross-border approach to address the complex intersection of traditional Islamic education, youth vulnerability, and regional insecurity.
As we adopt the Regional Declaration on Improving Islamic Education and Countering Violent Extremism, I urge all stakeholders to remain committed to the cause.
“Let us work together to implement the recommendations and strategies outlined in this declaration. Let us empower Islamic organizations to promote a culture of peace, tolerance, and coexistence, as guided by the Prophet , who says, you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.
He appreciated the Economic Community of West African States for their support, and commitment to regional peace and security which he said is a beacon of hope for citizens.
The main objective of the conference was to develop and implement an action plan on the role of Islamic authorities, and gave a run down of their deliberations towards enhancing peace, security and good governance in the region.
The Stakeholders in their resolution raised alarm over the rising incidence of kidnapping, trafficking, and exploitation of pupils from these schools by organized criminal networks.
They expressed regret that, despite effort by some state and non-state actors, many of these schools have been neglected and have not undergone adequate reformation to meet contemporary needs.
They therefore resolved to take the lead in the reformation of traditional Islamic schools, preserving
their spiritual, religious, and cultural heritage while integrating modern curricula, skill training, livelihood, and opportunities for pupils.
All the stakeholders, particularly those managing schools, Sangaya and Dara, were urged to cooperate fully with the reformation project and ensure its success.
Also, they are committed to work with national government, regional organizations, and international partners to implement programs that promote the welfare of children in line with the national, regional,
and international legal instruments.
To support and protect children, counter violent extremism, terrorism, organised crime, and promote religious and educational advancements in the communities.
