The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has declared a regional state of emergency across West Africa following a surge in military coups, attempted takeovers and worsening political instability threatening democratic governance in the sub-region.
The declaration was announced on Tuesday by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, during the 55th Ordinary Session of the bloc’s Mediation and Security Council at the ministerial level, held in Abuja.
Touray described the persistent unconstitutional changes of government across several member states as a “grave threat to peace, stability and democratic order” in West Africa.
“We must take a hard and honest look at where we are as a region. The repeated overthrow of elected governments is not just a political crisis but a danger to our collective future,” Touray said. “ECOWAS must intensify its commitment to protecting democracy through stronger institutions and collective security mechanisms.”
The emergency declaration follows the reported foiling of a coup plot in Benin Republic and comes against the backdrop of military takeovers in Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea and Niger since 2020, alongside increasing political unrest in other parts of the region.
ECOWAS expressed concern that the rise of unconstitutional governments is encouraging instability, cross-border insecurity and the weakening of democratic culture in West Africa.
According to Touray, the emergency framework will allow for more decisive regional action, including enhanced political engagement, tighter sanctions on military regimes, and the review of intervention strategies where necessary.
The ECOWAS Commission also indicated that an extra-ordinary summit of West African leaders will be convened in the coming weeks to adopt concrete measures to address the crisis.
Expected actions under the emergency framework may include:
- Strengthening diplomatic and economic sanctions,
- Re-activation of the ECOWAS Standby Force,
- Accelerated reforms to the bloc’s Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance,
- Tougher enforcement mechanisms against unconstitutional power seizures.
Political analysts say the declaration signals a shift toward a more defensive and active posture by ECOWAS after repeated failures to reverse military takeovers in the region.
Despite the gravity of the decision, ECOWAS reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful engagement with affected countries while maintaining pressure for a return to constitutional rule.