West African leaders have declared a regional state of emergency amid a rising wave of coups and attempted military takeovers that have destabilised several countries in recent months.
The announcement was delivered on Tuesday by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Touray, during the 55th Session of the Mediation and Security Council in Abuja.
Addressing ministers, Dr Touray warned that the escalating political turmoil poses a grave threat to peace and security within the sub-region.
He emphasised that the trend highlights an urgent need for member states to reassess the sustainability of democratic governance and fortify their national security systems to better resist political upheavals.
The decision comes at a time of heightened uncertainty across West Africa, where public trust in civilian administrations continues to erode amid recurring instability.
According to ECOWAS, the state of emergency is aimed at boosting the bloc’s ability to respond rapidly to emerging threats and supporting member countries in preventing further disruptions to constitutional order.
