ECOWAS Declares State of Emergency in West Africa

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has declared a state of emergency across West Africa after a worrying rise in coups and attempted military uprisings.

“Faced with this situation, Excellencies, it is safe to declare that our community is in a state of emergency,” Touray declared, calling the situation unprecedented, he stated

The announcement was made on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Touray, during the 55th Session of the Mediation and Security Council at the ministerial level in Abuja, Nigeria.

During the meeting, Dr Touray explained that recent developments show the “imperative of serious introspection on the future of our democracy and the urgent need to invest in the security of our community.”

He told ministers, diplomats and senior officials that the political situation in West Africa is becoming increasingly unstable. According to him, documents presented at the meeting show that most ECOWAS member states now fall under an average rating of “high risk.”

He added, “Events of the last few weeks have shown the imperative of serious introspection on the future of our democracy and the urgent need to invest in the security of our community.

As you would have seen in the memoranda before you, the country-by-country analyses of our member states show different risk levels across our community, from high to medium, with an average of high risk, thereby demanding immediate and concerted action.”

Dr Touray listed several risk factors causing the instability. These include persistent military interventions, such as those in Guinea-Bissau and the Republic of Benin, failure to follow transition agreements in Guinea, the rise of leaders who shift from military to civilian power, reduced fairness and inclusivity in elections, and the growing activities of terrorists and criminal networks. He also mentioned increasing global political pressures affecting the unity and diplomacy of member states.

He warned that “elections have become a major trigger of instability in our community.” He pointed to recent attempted coups and ongoing talks with the Alliance of Sahel States as further signs of the urgent need for coordinated action against terrorism and cross-border crime.

Dr Touray called for more frequent meetings of the Mediation and Security Council throughout next year. He stressed that ECOWAS must “pool our resources to confront the threats of terrorism and banditry, which operate without respect for territorial boundaries.”

He highlighted priority areas that require constant attention, including the crisis in Guinea-Bissau, monitoring political transitions, addressing political exclusion, and protecting regional unity despite external pressures.

The ECOWAS Commission President also noted the worsening humanitarian crisis in the region. Citing UNHCR data, he said that “as of October 2025, approximately 7.6 million individuals are forcibly displaced across the region,” including more than 6.5 million internally displaced persons.

Countries with the highest displaced populations include Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali. Meanwhile, Niger, Mali, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire and Togo host the largest numbers of asylum seekers.

He urged member states to take strong decisions, saying, “We must therefore take decisions and actions that will reverse this trend.”

Despite the challenges, Dr Touray assured citizens of ECOWAS’s commitment. He said, “Let me assure our community citizens that we will not rest on our oars. We will continue to work harder to promote a peaceful, stable and stronger region for the overall benefit of Community citizens.”

He also encouraged member states to respect constitutional order and protect regional unity.

Dr Touray then welcomed new ministers attending the meeting for the first time, saying, “May I extend a warm welcome to the new Ministers of Defence of Nigeria, Rtd. General Christopher Musa, and Foreign Affairs of Cabo Verde, José Luis Livramento, who are joining today for the first time.”

Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chair of the Council of Ministers, Timothy Kabba, also spoke at the event. He called for strong action to defend democratic governance across West Africa. Kabba said the recent political crises in Guinea-Bissau and Benin show how fragile democracy has become.

He stated, “The recent coup in Guinea-Bissau and the attempted coup in the Benin Republic are sobering reminders of the fragility of our democratic gains.”

Kabba explained that he led a high-level delegation to Guinea-Bissau on December 1, 2025, to meet with military leaders and political actors. He said the mission helped reduce tensions and encouraged continued dialogue.

He urged the council to deliver real results, not just promises.

The meeting took place ahead of the ECOWAS Heads of State Summit, where leaders are expected to make major decisions on restoring stability to the region.

West Africa is currently struggling with increasing coups, attempted coups, and unstable political transitions in some countries. Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Guinea-Bissau have all seen coups or attempted coups. Security agencies in Benin and other countries have also reported preventing mutinies.