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The African Union and the Economic Community of West African States have stressed the importance of a coordinated regional approach to address the changing security issues in Africa.
This was the gist of the first joint consultation between the AU Peace and Security Council and the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council at the Ambassadorial level in Abuja, on Wednesday.
Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to ECOWAS and Chair of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council, Ambassador Musa Nuhu, emphasized the dynamic nature of Africa’s security environment.
Nuhu highlighted the emergence of new and intricate threats, including terrorism, violent extremism, and unconstitutional changes in government.
Nuhu stressed the necessity of collective efforts transcending national borders to effectively address these challenges.
He emphasised the significance of joint consultative engagements between the AU and Regional Economic Communities as crucial platforms for fostering a collective response to mitigate these security threats.
“For long, the African continent has struggled with security challenges that have brought untold hardship to our people.”
“Since its inception, the ECOWAS MSC at the Ministerial and Ambassadorial levels has played a critical role in addressing security challenges through mediation missions, peacekeeping operations, and counter-terrorism efforts, which were hosted by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.
“However, it must be clearly stated that the security landscape in Africa is a dynamic one, constantly presenting new complex threats from terrorism and violent extremism to unconstitutional changes of government.
These challenges demand a unified response beyond our national boundaries and requires collective efforts.”
The chair highlighted the importance of cooperation in various areas, ranging from preventing unconstitutional government changes to implementing counter-terrorism measures and promoting peace initiatives.
He further stressed the need to extend discussions beyond politics to encompass economic development, humanitarian intervention, and social cohesion, all crucial elements for achieving lasting peace across Africa.
The Permanent Representative of The Gambia to the African Union and Chairperson of the Peace and Security Council, Ambassador Jainaba Jagne, in the same vein, emphasised the importance of collaboration and cooperation in preventing, managing, and resolving conflicts.
Jagne highlighted the challenges posed by terrorism, violent extremism, and unconstitutional changes of government in the region, underscoring their detrimental effects on peace, security, and stability.
She expressed confidence in the collective effort to counter these threats and reverse the current trends.
“We need to emphasise the critical role and the absolute necessity of our collaboration and cooperation in preventing, managing, and resolving conflicts.
“Our region is currently faced with the surge of terrorism and violent extremism, and the resurgence of unconstitutional changes of government, which have serious negative consequences for peace, security, and stability in our community.
“Together, we can reverse this unfortunate trend,” she said.
