Terrorists Targeting West Africa’s Economy, ECOWAS Tells UN, Calls for Global Support
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has sounded the alarm at the United Nations, warning that terrorist groups in the region are not only engaging in violent attacks but are increasingly targeting West Africa’s economic infrastructure.
ECOWAS officials said extremists are disrupting trade routes, blocking fuel supply chains, and undermining regional commerce, posing a significant threat to economic stability.
Addressing the UN, ECOWAS Commission President Omar Alieu Touray described the situation as “economic warfare”, highlighting that the attacks threaten both the livelihoods of citizens and the cohesion of regional markets.
He called on the international community to provide sustained financial, logistical, and technical support to help West African nations respond effectively.
In response, ECOWAS is fast-tracking the deployment of its standby counter-terrorism force, initially comprising 1,650 troops, with plans to scale up to 5,000 personnel as resources and international support allow.
The bloc estimates that the force will require $2.61 billion annually to operate effectively, a figure that underscores the scale of the challenge.
Touray emphasized that the fight against terrorism in West Africa is multi-dimensional. “Security operations alone are not enough. We must protect trade corridors, ensure economic resilience, and maintain public confidence while addressing the root causes of extremism,” he said.
The move comes amid escalating attacks by armed groups across the Sahel and Lake Chad regions, which have disrupted agricultural production, trade, and regional connectivity. By framing terrorism as an economic as well as a security threat, ECOWAS is signaling that regional stability depends on coordinated military, economic, and political responses.
Analysts note that the success of the ECOWAS standby force will hinge on sustained international backing, adequate funding, and political cohesion among member states, some of which have experienced internal tensions and coups in recent years.
Failure to secure these resources could limit the effectiveness of the regional force and allow extremists to continue undermining economic stability.
ECOWAS’s call to the UN represents a proactive appeal for global solidarity, highlighting the interconnectedness of security and economic development in West Africa. The bloc urged immediate action to prevent terrorist groups from consolidating influence over critical economic nodes, emphasizing that collective effort is essential to safeguarding the region’s prosperity and peace.
