To tackle the evolving security challenges and unconstitutional change of government across Africa, the Economic Community of West African States and the African Union have emphasised the imperative of a unified regional approach.
This stance was stressed during the inaugural joint consultation between the AU Peace and Security Council and the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council at the ambassadorial level in Abuja.
In his remarks, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to ECOWAS and Chair of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council, Ambassador Musa Nuhu, highlighted the dynamic nature of Africa’s security landscape.
Nuhu underscored the emergence of new and complex threats, ranging from terrorism and violent extremism to unconstitutional changes of government, emphasising the necessity for collective efforts transcending national borders to effectively address these challenges.
He explained that the significance of joint consultative engagements between the AU and Regional Economic Communities was crucial platforms for fostering a collective response to mitigate these security threats.
Ambassador Nuhu noted that since its inception, the ECOWAS MSC at the ministerial and ambassadorial levels has played a critical role in addressing security challenges through mediation missions, peacekeeping operations, and counter-terrorism efforts, which were hosted by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.
The chairman however, highlighted the importance of cooperation in various areas, ranging from preventing unconstitutional government changes to implementing counter-terrorism measures and promoting peace initiatives.
He further stressed the need to extend discussions beyond politics to encompass economic development, humanitarian intervention, and social cohesion, all crucial elements for achieving lasting peace across Africa.
In the same vein, the Permanent Representative of The Gambia to the African Union and Chairperson of the Peace and Security Council, Ambassador Jainaba Jagne, emphasised the importance of collaboration and cooperation in preventing, managing, and resolving conflicts.