By Gabriel Ameh
The Federal Republic of Nigeria joined other Member States of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) at the 55th Ordinary Session of the Mediation and Security Council (MSC) at the Ministerial level, held on Tuesday, 9 December 2025, in Abuja.
The meeting brought together Ministers, Heads of ECOWAS Institutions, Commissioners, and international partners to deliberate on the rapidly deteriorating political and security situation across the subregion.
This was contained in a ststement signed Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa,Spokesperson Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja
According to the statement,President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, In his welcome remarks stressed the urgent need for stronger collective action in the face of escalating threats from unconstitutional military interventions to the erosion of democratic norms, deepening terrorist activities, and worsening humanitarian conditions.
Dr. Touray referenced the most recent regional risk assessment, noting that West Africa now ranks at an average high-risk level. He described this as “a regional emergency requiring intensified coordination, more frequent MSC engagements, and enhanced security cooperation among Member States.”
ECOWAS Reaffirms Zero Tolerance for Coups
Chair of the Mediation and Security Council and Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Musa Timothy Kabba, reiterated the Community’s unwavering zero-tolerance policy for unconstitutional changes of government.
He cited ECOWAS’ swift intervention in the coup in Guinea-Bissau and the attempted coup in Benin, emphasizing that decisive and consistent action is vital for maintaining the bloc’s credibility and safeguarding democratic governance.
According to him, citizens across West Africa “expect concrete and timely actions that reinforce peace, stability, and constitutional order.”
Nigeria Reasserts Leadership in Regional Security
Nigeria’s delegation to the session included:
Gen. Christopher Musa (Rtd.), Honourable Minister of Defence
Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed, PhD, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Ambassador Olawale Emmanuel Awe, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to ECOWAS
Ambassador Mrs. Nonyelum Afoekelu, Director, ECOWAS National Unit
Their presence underscored Nigeria’s continued leadership role and its strategic commitment to regional peace, security, and multilateral cooperation.
Council Recommits to Stability, Democracy, and Citizen Protection
The Council expressed deep concern over the rise in terrorism, the expansion of extremist activities, and the growing number of displaced persons now estimated at over 7.6 million across West Africa.
Members reaffirmed their collective resolve to:
strengthen regional security mechanisms,
uphold constitutional convergence principles,
support credible electoral processes, and
build an effective, proactive response system to emerging threats.
The conclusions reached at the 55th MSC Session will be forwarded to the Authority of Heads of State and Government, whose upcoming meeting will determine the next steps in ECOWAS’ ongoing efforts to reinforce stability and protect the welfare of all citizens within the Community.
