ECOWAS urges UN support for African-led counter-terrorism initiatives at high-level security council session

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC), under the presidency of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, convened a high-level session titled ‘African-led and Development-focused Counter-terrorism Initiatives.’
Africa Parrot correspondent gathered that the session sought to rally international support for Africa’s counter-terrorism efforts, emphasizing the importance of integrating socio-economic development into the region’s response strategies.
Addressing the UNSC, Ambassador Kinza Jawara-Njai, ECOWAS Permanent Observer to the UN, represented the President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray. She highlighted the critical measures taken by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to combat terrorism in West Africa, stressing the urgent need for global collaboration.
Ambassador Jawara-Njai detailed the comprehensive ECOWAS strategies, including the adoption and implementation of the ECOWAS Action Plan on the Eradication of Terrorism, the activation of the ECOWAS Standby Force, and the use of kinetic methods in intervention operations.
“These measures form a key part of our regional response to the growing threat of terrorism, which undermines peace, stability, and development in West Africa,” she stated.
The Ambassador further called for stronger global support to reinforce African-led initiatives, emphasizing that sustainable socio-economic development must be an integral part of counter-terrorism strategies.
The session provided a platform for member states and international partners to deliberate on actionable frameworks to address the root causes of terrorism while bolstering Africa’s capacity for prevention and response.
As Africa faces growing security challenges, the UNSC session underscored the need for a holistic approach that combines military interventions with investments in education, infrastructure, and job creation to tackle the socio-economic drivers of terrorism.
With ECOWAS at the forefront of these efforts, the session marked a critical step in galvanizing international attention and resources to address the multifaceted threat of terrorism in West Africa.