ECOWAS seeks global support against terrorism

Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has called on the United Nations and international partners to support member states in their ongoing fight against terrorism in the region. In a press statement signed by ECOWAS on Tuesday, the Commission drew global attention to what it described as the growing level of violence perpetrated by terrorist groups of different coloration in several countries within the West African region, including Nigeria. According to the statement,

“The Economic Commission of West African States (ECOWAS) wishes to draw the attention of partners and the international community as a whole to the growing level of violence that terrorist groups of different coloration have perpetrated in some countries in the West African region, including Nigeria.” It continued, “Perpetrators of this violence target innocent civilians of all religious denominations including Muslims, Christians, and adherents to other religions.”

ECOWAS noted that, “As independent reports have confirmed over the years, terrorist-related violence does not discriminate on the basis of gender, religion, ethnicity or age.” Calling for coordinated action, the regional body appealed that, “ECOWAS calls on the United Nations and all partners to support Member States in their fight against these groups and to treat as false any claims that these terrorist groups target one group, or that there is a genocide of one religious group in the region.”

The statement further emphasized that, “ECOWAS strongly rejects these false and dangerous claims that seek to deepen insecurity in communities and weaken social cohesion in the region.” Reiterating its call for unity, ECOWAS urged that, “ECOWAS calls on the whole world to stand by the countries in the region in their fight against terrorism that targets all communities.”