Tinubu Calls for ECOWAS Unity to Combat Terrorism, Unconstitutional Takeovers

President Bola Tinubu has called on West African leaders to close ranks in confronting the twin challenges of terrorism and unconstitutional changes of government across the sub-region.

Speaking through Vice-President Kashim Shettima at the 68th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in Abuja on Sunday, Tinubu warned that the growing security and political threats in West Africa require collective action.

According to him, the scale of the dangers confronting the region makes cooperation among member states imperative, stressing that no country can secure lasting peace and stability on its own.

The president reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the founding principles of ECOWAS, noting that regional unity remains the strongest tool for safeguarding democracy and security.

He emphasised that the future of the West African bloc must be anchored on solidarity and mutual support, insisting that shared values and brotherhood, rather than coercion, should guide the community’s path forward.

“Excellencies, the external threats confronting West Africa today demand nothing less than a united front: terrorism, violent extremism, unconstitutional changes of government, transnational organised crime, arms for liberation, cyber insecurity, climate shocks, food insecurity and irregular migration,” he said.

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“No single member state, regardless of size, can achieve enduring stability in isolation. We must sit at the same table, speak with one voice and act with shared results.

“This is the position of Nigeria, and it is the abiding conviction of His Excellency President Bola Tinubu, whose actions have consistently signalled that our unity is not transactional but foundational. We remain persuaded that fraternity, not force, must define the future of our community.

“This session could not have come at a more consequential moment. We have, in recent times, allowed our differences to shake the very foundations of our union, yet history reminds us that ECOWAS can only fulfil the purpose of inspiration when every member state upholds the values of pureness, justice and equity within its domestic affairs.”

ECOWAS Chairman and President of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio, has praised Nigeria for its rapid deployment of troops to the Republic of Benin to thwart an attempted coup.

He stressed the importance of collective regional action, noting that the security of West Africa is interconnected, and warning that unrest in any one country poses a threat to the entire sub-region.

“West Africa faces some of the most complex and evolving threats in its history; terrorism, violent extremism, organised crime and communal conflicts continue to destabilise communities and undermine development,” he said.

“The situation in the Sahel remains particularly grave. Instability in one nation is instability for all.

“No border can insulate us from violence or fragmentation; the courage of our defence and security forces deserves our utmost admiration.

“Yet, terrorist networks continue to exploit fragility and attempt to expand their influence; our response must therefore be united and uncompromising.”