ECOWAS ADDRESSES UN SECURITY COUNCIL AT HIGH LEVEL SESSION ON AFRICAN-LED AND DEVELOPMENT FOCUSED COUNTER TERRORISM INITIATIVES

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS Commission) on 21 January 2025, addressed a high-level session of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on “African-led and Development-focused Counter-terrorism Initiatives”and underscored its importance in addressing  terrorism challenges in Africa.

The high-level session, held under the presidency of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, aimed to strengthen international support for African-driven efforts to combat terrorism through integrated socio-economic development strategies.

Representing the ECOWAS Commission President, H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu TOURAY, the ECOWAS Permanent Observer to the United Nations, Ambassador Kinza JAWARA-NJAI highlighted ECOWAS’ comprehensive initiatives to counter terrorism in West Africa, including the implementation of the ECOWAS Action Plan on the eradication of terrorism, the activation of the ECOWAS Standby Force and the integration of kinetic means into intervention strategies.

Ambassador JAWARA-NJAI called for stronger support from the United Nations and international partners to bolster African-led efforts towards countering terrorism. She emphasized the need for coordinated and synergized responses, addressing the root causes of terrorism, and fostering sustainable socio-economic development to combat violent extremism across the continent. She also reinforced the importance of collaboration between African regional bodies, the United Nations, and global partners to achieve meaningful progress in the fight against terrorism.

Prominent individuals and international diplomats who briefed the high-level session included the President of the United Nations Security Council for the month of January 2025, and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Algeria, H.E. Ahmed ATTAF; United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, H.E Madam Amina J. MOHAMMED’; African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador  Bankole ADEOYE,  and Mr. Said DJINNIT, Senior Advisor to the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Conflicts (ACCORD) and former UN Under Secretary General.