West African Leaders Call for Unified Action Against Terrorism and Regional Instability

President John Dramani Mahama has urged West African nations to work collectively to tackle security, economic, and social challenges that have made the region vulnerable to terrorism and violent extremism. He emphasized that no single country can achieve peace and prosperity alone, highlighting the need for regional cooperation to ensure stability and development.

Speaking at a high-level consultative conference on Regional Cooperation and Security in Accra on Friday, January 30, 2026, President Mahama called on regional leaders to confront current realities, restore public confidence in institutions, and build inclusive, resilient societies. He cited the terrorist attack at Niamey Airport in Niger on January 28 as a stark reminder of the ongoing threats facing the sub-region.

The President proposed the creation of a new cooperation framework that addresses shared security challenges while respecting the sovereignty and political choices of individual states. The conference, which began with meetings of senior officials and ministers, concluded with a summit attended by the Presidents of Liberia, Joseph Nyuma Boakai, and Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio.

Highlighting the interconnectedness of West African countries through shared history, culture, and economic ties, President Mahama warned that instability in one nation could reverberate across the region. He stressed that challenges such as terrorism, extremism, climate change, youth unemployment, and transnational crime demand coordinated regional responses rather than isolated national efforts.

President Mahama also noted that weakened trust between countries, including the temporary withdrawal of some states from ECOWAS, has hindered effective regional security measures. He called for greater emphasis on human security, preventive diplomacy, and collective resilience, principles embedded in ECOWAS’ security architecture.

Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio, who chairs ECOWAS, reinforced the need for a unified regional approach to combating terrorism, pointing out that over half of terrorism-related deaths in West Africa occur within the sub-region. He argued that military action alone is insufficient and called for governance reforms, inclusive development, and economic opportunities to address the root causes of extremism.

Liberian President Joseph Boakai affirmed his country’s commitment to regional security, citing Liberia’s experience with violent conflict and its ongoing socio-economic impact. He urged leaders to strengthen regional mechanisms, mobilize resources, and address issues such as youth unemployment and drug abuse. Boakai also pledged Liberia’s continued support for regional peace-building efforts, including dismantling terrorist networks and their support systems.