The heads of state and government from Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, along with delegates from Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, and Togo, have reiterated their collective resolve to enhance regional cooperation aimed at combating terrorism and overall insecurity.
This assembly took place in Accra on January 29-30 during a High-Level Consultative Conference focused on Regional Cooperation and Security. It was chaired by President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana, with President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone and President Joseph Boakai of Liberia leading their respective delegations.
At the conclusion of the two-day event, a joint communiqué was released, revealing concerns that West Africa has become a central hub for terrorism and violent extremism. The statement highlighted the alarming figure of at least eight terror attacks occurring daily in the region, resulting in an average of 44 fatalities.
The leaders emphasized that more than half of all deaths connected to global terrorism occur within their region, underscoring the urgent need for decisive action to address the rising tide of extremist violence.
The conference drew insights from discussions held by foreign affairs, defense, security ministers, and intelligence officials, as well as inputs from the African Union Commission, the United Nations Development Programme, and various civil society groups.
The communiqué expressed the necessity for a sustainable framework for collaboration, moving past sporadic diplomatic efforts and limited operational coordination. It highlighted the intention to focus on jointly developed programs, established standards, and infrastructure priorities to effectively manage mutual risks.
Regarding counter-terrorism strategies, the leaders agreed to enhance the frequency of regional state meetings to review peace and security commitments, strengthen intelligence sharing protocols, align legal frameworks for cross- border prosecution of terrorism offenses, and bolster de-radicalization initiatives.
In terms of border security, the conference aimed to explore the adoption of 'hot-pursuit' agreements and draft a foundational Memorandum of Understanding within three months. It also emphasized strengthening mechanisms against human, narcotics, and arms trafficking. The communiqué acknowledged that military solutions alone cannot assure enduring peace and accordingly prioritized human security measures, including food security, healthcare, job creation, and education. Additionally, it advocated for improvements in local governance and the utilization of technology to modernize border control and service delivery.
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