ECOWAS LEADERS MEET IN ABUJA OVER BENIN COUP ATTEMPT, REGIONAL ISSUES

ABUJA (Nigeria), Dec 15 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- Leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) met in Nigeria’s capital Abuja on Sunday to discuss a failed coup attempt in Benin and other regional challenges, Anadolu Ajansi reported.

The leaders gathered for the 68th ECOWAS Heads of State and Government Summit, where security developments, including the attempted coup in Benin on Dec 7, were among the main agenda items.

ECOWAS Commission President Omar Touray, said in his opening remarks that recent developments in the region demonstrated the organisation’s spirit of solidarity and integration.

Touray said events in recent weeks underscored the importance of regional cooperation in safeguarding democracy and stability.

Referring to developments in Guinea-Bissau, Touray said peaceful and transparent elections were disrupted by military intervention, adding that ECOWAS leaders responded in a measured but effective manner.

Touray said ECOWAS, under Nigeria’s leadership, adopted a firm stance following the failed coup attempt in Benin, mobilising political and military efforts to protect democratic order in the country and the wider region.

Touray said the summit would also address security challenges, economic integration, counterterrorism efforts, the protection of constitutional order and the strengthening of regional cooperation.

He added that rising terrorism and violent extremism in the Sahel continue to place significant pressure on development goals across ECOWAS member states.

The meeting comes amid heightened concerns over political instability and security challenges across West Africa in recent years.

-- BERNAMA-ANADOLU