55th Ordinary Session of The Mediation and Security Council of ECOWAS reflects on Nigeria’s continued leadership, Commitment
Oru Leonard
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) convened the 55th Ordinary Session of the Mediation and Security Council (MSC), at the Ministerial level on 9 December 2025 in Abuja, where Ministers, Heads of ECOWAS Institutions, Commissioners, and international partners deliberated on the increasingly fragile political and security environment across the region.
In his welcome address, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, underscored the urgent need for enhanced collective action in view of the escalating challenges facing West Africa, including recent military interventions, erosion of electoral norms, expanding terrorist activities, and mounting humanitarian pressures. Drawing attention to the latest regional risk assessment, he emphasized that the Community now faces an average high-risk rating, a situation he described as a state of emergency that warrants intensified coordination, more frequent MSC engagements, and strengthened security cooperation among Member States.
The Chair of the Council and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Sierra Leone, H.E. Musa Timothy Kabba, reaffirmed ECOWAS’ principled zero-tolerance for unconstitutional changes of government. He recalled the Community’s swift response to the coup in Guinea-Bissau and the attempted coup in Benin, stressing that consistent and decisive action is essential to maintaining ECOWAS’ credibility and safeguarding democratic governance. He further noted that citizens across the region expect tangible, timely decisions that reinforce peace, stability, and constitutional order.
The session was attended by senior officials of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, including Gen. Christopher Musa (Rtd.), Honourable Minister of Defence; Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed, PhD Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Ambassador Olawale Emmanuel Awe, Permanent Representative of Nigeria to ECOWAS; and Ambassador Mrs. Nonyelum Afoekelu, Director, ECOWAS National Unit, among others. Their participation reflected Nigeria’s continued leadership and firm commitment to regional security and cooperation.
Against the backdrop of rising terrorism, increased displacement now affecting over 7.6 million people and intensifying geopolitical pressures, the Council reiterated its collective resolve to strengthen regional stability, uphold constitutional convergence principles, support credible electoral processes, and ensure an effective response framework to emerging threats.
The recommendations from this session will inform the deliberations of the upcoming Authority of Heads of State and Government, as ECOWAS advances its mission to promote peace, security, and the welfare of all Community citizens.
