United front needed to defeat terrorism in West Africa — Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has called on leaders of West African countries to strengthen unity and collective action in confronting terrorism, violent extremism and the growing threat of military takeovers in the region.

Tinubu made the call on Sunday at the 68th ordinary session of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Authority of Heads of State and Government, held in Abuja.

The president was represented at the summit by Vice-President Kashim Shettima.

He said the security and political challenges confronting West Africa demand nothing less than a united regional response, stressing that no country can achieve lasting peace and stability in isolation.

According to him, Nigeria remains firmly committed to the ideals and founding principles of ECOWAS, noting that unity among member states must go beyond convenience and short-term interests.

“Excellencies, the external threats confronting West Africa today demand nothing less than a united front: terrorism, violent extremism, unconstitutional changes of government, transnational organised crime, arms proliferation, cyber insecurity, climate shocks, food insecurity and irregular migration,” Tinubu said.

“No single member state, regardless of size, can achieve enduring stability in isolation. We must sit at the same table, speak with one voice and act with shared results.”

The president added that Nigeria believes the future of the sub-region must be shaped by cooperation and mutual respect rather than force.

“This is the abiding conviction of His Excellency President Bola Tinubu, whose actions have consistently signalled that our unity is not transactional but foundational.”

“We remain persuaded that fraternity, not force, must define the future of our community,” he said.

Tinubu also warned that internal divisions among ECOWAS member states have in recent times weakened the bloc, stressing that the organisation can only thrive when justice, equity and good governance are upheld within individual countries.

“This session could not have come at a more consequential moment. We have, in recent times, allowed our differences to shake the very foundations of our union, yet history reminds us that ECOWAS can only fulfil its purpose when every member state upholds the values of justice and equity in its domestic affairs,” he added.

Speaking at the meeting, ECOWAS Chairman and President of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio, commended Nigeria for its swift deployment of troops to the Republic of Benin following a recent attempted coup.

Bio said insecurity in one country poses a direct threat to the entire region, urging leaders to deepen cooperation in tackling terrorism and organised crime.

“West Africa faces some of the most complex and evolving threats in its history. Instability in one nation is instability for all,” he said.

He noted that despite the bravery of regional security forces, terrorist groups continue to exploit weak points, particularly in the Sahel, adding that ECOWAS must adopt a firm, united and uncompromising response to safeguard the region’s future.

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