Leaders of West African countries have renewed their commitment to deepen regional cooperation in the fight against terrorism and rising insecurity across the sub-region.
The resolution was reached at a two-day High-Level Consultative Conference on Regional Cooperation and Security held in Accra, Ghana, from January 29 to 30. The meeting was chaired by Ghana’s President, John Dramani Mahama, with Presidents Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone and Joseph Boakai of Liberia leading their delegations. Other participating countries included Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal and Togo.
In a joint communiqué issued after the meeting, the leaders described West Africa as the “global epicentre of terrorism and violent extremism,” warning that at least eight attacks occur daily in the region, resulting in an average of 44 deaths.
They noted that more than half of all terrorism-related deaths worldwide now occur in West Africa, stressing that the increasing wave of extremist violence demands urgent and coordinated action.
The conference, which followed earlier consultations involving foreign affairs, defence and security ministers as well as intelligence chiefs, also benefited from contributions by the African Union Commission, the United Nations Development Programme and civil society groups.
The communiqué emphasised the need to establish a permanent framework for cooperation that goes beyond sporadic diplomatic engagements or limited operational efforts. This framework, according to the leaders, would focus on shared programmes, common standards and key infrastructure priorities, while addressing collective security risks.
On counter-terrorism, the leaders agreed to strengthen regular regional security meetings, improve intelligence sharing, harmonise legal systems to enable cross-border prosecution of terrorist offences, and expand de-radicalisation initiatives.
To enhance border security, they proposed adopting “hot pursuit” agreements, drafting a foundational Memorandum of Understanding within three months, and reinforcing measures to combat trafficking in drugs, humans and arms.
The leaders also acknowledged that military action alone cannot guarantee sustainable peace. They therefore committed to promoting human security through improved food security, healthcare, job creation and education, as well as strengthening local governance and leveraging digital technology to modernise border management and public service delivery.
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