By Milcah Tanimu
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has expressed deep concern over the escalating insecurity in the region, attributing it to recent military coups in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. During the 51st Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council, ECOWAS Commission President Omar Touray highlighted the impact of these coups on the overall security environment.
Coup attempts occurred in Burkina Faso on January 23, 2022, in Mali on May 24, 2021, and in Niger on July 26, 2023. According to Touray, the security situation in the region has become increasingly challenging, with transition processes facing disruptions due to political upheavals.
Touray emphasized that these military coups, often fueled by false narratives, are significant drivers of insecurity. From January 1 to October 23, 2023, he presented alarming statistics, revealing that 4.8 million people in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger are grappling with food insecurity. Additionally, 2.4 million people are internally displaced, and nearly 9,000 schools remain closed.
Burkina Faso bears the highest burden, with close to 2.2 million people facing food insecurity and 2 million internally displaced. Mali and Niger also face substantial challenges. The humanitarian crisis includes complex issues such as forced migration, poor nutrition, and educational disruptions.
Touray acknowledged the urgency of the situation and pledged ECOWAS’s commitment to facilitating a swift return to constitutional order in the affected member states. As part of the humanitarian response, the ECOWAS Commission plans to deploy funds from the Counterterrorism Fund to address immediate needs, including basic education for conflict-affected children, livelihood support, and resilience building.
