Breaking: ECOWAS Must Speak With One Voice On Security, Democracy- Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has urged leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to strengthen unity and collective resolve in the face of renewed threats to democratic governance in the region, citing the recent coup attempt in Benin Republic and political instability in Guinea-Bissau.

Tinubu, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, made the call on Sunday while delivering the opening address at the 68th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government held at the State House, Abuja.

He warned that West Africa is confronting a convergence of internal and external threats, including terrorism, violent extremism, unconstitutional changes of government, transnational organised crime, cyber insecurity, climate shocks, food insecurity and irregular migration.

According to him, the greatest danger to the sub-region lies not in external pressure but in internal divisions that weaken collective resolve.

Tinubu stressed that ECOWAS member states are bound by shared history, culture and aspirations, arguing that solidarity and persuasion, rather than force, should guide the bloc’s response to current challenges.

He said lasting stability cannot be achieved by any single country acting alone, urging member states to speak with one voice on security, governance and economic integration.

The summit comes after several years of political turbulence in West Africa, marked by military coups in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, developments that led to the withdrawal of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso from ECOWAS in early 2024.

Recent tensions include an attempted coup in Benin on December 7, 2025, and renewed political uncertainty in Guinea-Bissau.