Ministers from across West Africa have convened in Freetown, Sierra Leone, for the 56th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council, with regional security, political stability and humanitarian challenges dominating the agenda ahead of the bloc’s summit of heads of state. The meeting brings together foreign affairs and security ministers from member states to review growing threats facing the region, including terrorism, political instability, humanitarian emergencies and relations with the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), comprising Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.
Among the key issues under discussion are the activation of the ECOWAS Standby Force, measures to strengthen conflict prevention and peacebuilding, and coordinated responses to the worsening humanitarian situation affecting millions across West Africa. ECOWAS Commission President Omar Alieu Touray urged member states to deepen regional cooperation through preventive diplomacy and collective action to safeguard peace, democracy and stability.
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Timothy Musa Kabba, reaffirmed his country’s commitment to democratic governance, regional integration and collective security, emphasizing the need for unity in addressing common challenges. Representing Nigeria, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sola Enikanolaiye called for stronger collaboration in combating terrorism, maritime piracy and transnational organized crime, while stressing the importance of maintaining dialogue with Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger despite their withdrawal from ECOWAS.
The minister said continued engagement with the three Sahel countries remains essential to preserving regional cooperation and addressing shared security concerns. The ministerial meeting serves as a preparatory session for the 69th ECOWAS Summit of Heads of State and Government, scheduled to take place in Freetown on July 19, where regional leaders are expected to deliberate on the bloc’s future direction and responses to evolving political and security developments.
