The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) declared a regional state of emergency as coups and mutinies swept parts of the bloc, it’s leaders said at a meeting in Abuja.
The President of ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray, made the declaration on Tuesday December 9, 2025 during the 55th Session of the Mediation and Security Council at the Ministerial level.
The meeting was convened in response to series of coups and failed mutinies affecting countries in subregion.
Touray said the developments highlight the “imperative of serious introspection on the future of our democracy and urgent need to invest in security in our community”
The decision came after recent unrest in several countries, including Benin Republic and a military takeover in Guinea-Bissau, adding to string of seizures in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Guinea that have shaken the region since 2020.
It also discussed growing terrorist threats in the Sahel and the impact of instability of trade and daily life.
ECOWAS leaders said they would step up diplomatic pressure, prepare regional security responses, and coordinate with international partners to limit the spread of coups and extremist violence.
The emergency declaration signals tougher stance after years of military takeovers and the creation of rival group, the Alliance of Sahel States, by some breakaway governments.
It remains to be seen whether ECOWAS will deploy it standby force to troubled capitals, impose sanctions on coup leaders, and how governments will respond to a call for collective action to protest democracy and peace across West African region.
-9News Nigeria.
