• Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar expressed deep concern over terrorism’s impact, citing over 7,000 deaths in the ECOWAS region in early 2024
• Tuggar highlighted the need for coordinated action, stressing terrorism’s borderless nature and urging ECOWAS countries to fight this threat collectively

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb Yusuf Tuggar, has expressed deep concern over the impact of terrorism on the peace and security of the ECOWAS region. Tuggar shared these insights on Wednesday at the 52nd Ordinary Session of the Mediation and Security Council (MSC) of ECOWAS in Abuja.

Tuggar revealed that, according to the ECOWAS Early Warning and Response Network (ECOWARN), the region has suffered over 7,000 deaths from more than 800 terrorist attacks between January and May 2024. Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali have been the hardest hit by this violence.

He highlighted the urgent need for coordinated and decisive action to combat this threat, stating, “The human cost of insecurity is staggering, and we must act together. Terrorism knows no borders, affecting the entire region from the Sahel to the coastal states. Every country within ECOWAS must see this fight as a collective responsibility.”

Tuggar also pointed out other significant challenges for the regional bloc, including climate change, migration, organized crime, global trade terms, and access to financing. He emphasized the importance of unity and commitment to protecting citizens’ lives and futures.

Dr. Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, noted the ongoing threats to the sub-region during the commission’s 49th anniversary of regional integration. He mentioned issues such as illegal fishing, drug trafficking, and toxic waste dumping in the Gulf of Guinea, which impact livelihoods.

Touray stated, “Governance deficits and marginalization have strained social contracts, leading to political rivalries, resource competition, organized crime, and violence. Additionally, the region faces multipolar geopolitical competition and the spread of destructive technologies. Misinformation and disinformation practices further undermine social cohesion.”

Leonardo Simao, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), emphasized the meeting’s role in strengthening the UN-ECOWAS partnership. He assured ongoing engagement with relevant stakeholders to resolve conflicts between ECOWAS and its member states.