President John Dramani Mahama has urged joint efforts to tackle security, economic, and social challenges that have created conditions enabling terrorist and extremist activities in West Africa.
President Mahama emphasised that no single nation could achieve peace and prosperity alone, highlighting the importance of collaboration for regional stability and shared growth.
Speaking at a high-level consultative conference on Regional Cooperation and Security in Accra on Friday, January 30, 2025, he called on regional leaders to confront West Africa’s challenges honestly, restore confidence in public institutions, and rebuild inclusive, resilient, and forward-looking societies.
He referenced the terrorist attack at Niamey Airport in Niger on January 28, 2026, as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat posed by terrorists and violent extremists to the sub-region.
The conference, which included sessions for senior officials and ministers, culminated in a summit attended by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai of Liberia and President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone.
Interconnectedness and Shared Threats
President Mahama highlighted the deep interconnectivity of West African countries, shaped by shared history, culture, and economic ties. He stressed that threats such as terrorism, violent extremism, and climate change required a coordinated regional response.
“In our region, progress in one country strengthens the collective, while instability or insecurity in another reverberates across borders,” he noted.
“This reality imposes a shared responsibility to address challenges not as isolated national issues but as common obligations demanding collective action and mutual accountability. Our sub-region is more than a collection of sovereign neighbours; it is a deeply interconnected community shaped by centuries of shared histories, trade, migration, and cultural exchange.”
Building Trust and Strengthening Institutions
President Mahama pointed out that weakened trust, which had led some states to exit ECOWAS, hindered effective responses to regional threats. He explained that violent extremism, terrorism, transnational organised crime, unconstitutional changes of government, youth unemployment, and climate-related vulnerabilities interact in ways that strain national institutions and test regional solidarity.
These challenges, he said, require a shift from traditional state-centric responses to an integrated approach based on human security, preventive diplomacy, and collective resilience—principles embedded in the ECOWAS security architecture.
Without effective coordination and sustained political commitment, he warned, even well-intentioned initiatives would struggle to achieve lasting results.
Unified Regional Response to Terrorism
In his address, ECOWAS Chairman and Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio reaffirmed the need for a cohesive regional approach to counter terrorism, noting that over half of terrorism-related deaths in West Africa occurred in the sub-region.
President Bio stressed that fragmentation was no longer acceptable and called for enhanced intelligence sharing, logistics, and surveillance. He emphasised that military action alone was insufficient, advocating governance reforms, inclusive development, and economic opportunities to address the root causes of extremism.
“We must tackle poverty and hunger, strengthen health and education systems, adapt to climate change, and expand social protection. We must work with the private sector to create jobs and sustainable livelihoods for our citizens,” he said.
Liberia’s Commitment to Regional Security
President Joseph Boakai of Liberia highlighted his country’s dedication to regional cooperation and security, reflecting on the devastating impacts of violent conflicts on Liberia’s development.
“We fully support this initiative. Liberia understands the costs associated with violent conflict and continues to bear its scars. This is why we are committed to preventing conflict at national, regional, and international levels,” he stated.
He urged regional leaders to strengthen existing mechanisms, mobilise resources, and address socio-economic challenges such as youth unemployment and drug abuse. As a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, Liberia will continue to advocate for a collaborative approach to peace-building and security, focusing on dismantling terrorist networks and their support systems.