ECOWAS Declares State of Emergency as Instability Spreads Across West Africa

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has declared a state of emergency across the region.

The announcement was made by Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, on Tuesday during the 55th session of the mediation and security council at the ministerial level in Abuja.

The meeting was convened in response to the wave of coups and attempted mutinies across the sub-region.

Touray said the situation underscores the “imperative of serious introspection on the future of our democracy and the urgent need to invest in the security of our community”.

The emergency declaration follows a period of volatility marked by coups in Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Guinea, in addition to the recent failed coup attempt in Benin Republic.

The region has also experienced political instability in Guinea-Bissau, where a military faction attempted to seize control last month.

How do you think the state of emergency would affect citizens in West Africa? Share your views in the comment section.