ECOWAS vows united action against coups, insecurity, shifts to pre-emptive strategy

West African leaders have condemned the recent wave of military coups and pledged a unified, proactive response to halt further unconstitutional takeovers and combat terrorism.

The resolution was adopted at the 68th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority in Abuja on Sunday.

The leaders agreed to move from reactive sanctions to pre-emptive military and diplomatic interventions.

This new resolve was demonstrated by the swift action to thwart a coup attempt in the Republic of Benin on December 7, where Nigerian forces were rapidly deployed to support loyalist troops.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, emphasized that external threats like terrorism, cyber insecurity, and coups respect no borders.

He stressed that regional unity and collective action are essential for stability, stating that “our security, prosperity, and resilience are indivisible.”

ECOWAS Chairman, President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, commended Nigeria’s leadership in safeguarding constitutional order in Benin.

He described the session as a defining moment for the region and announced that from January 2026, ECOWAS will implement measures to reduce air travel costs, including abolishing certain taxes.

President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, highlighted recent successes as proof of what regional solidarity can achieve.

He also announced that Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has accepted to chair the newly established ECOWAS Business Council.

Representing the African Union, Ambassador Bankole Adeoye reiterated that coups are unacceptable, calling for enhanced coordination to advance democracy and stability across the continent.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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