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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has urged global leaders to fully implement the provisions of Chapters Seven and Eight of the UN Charter and provide substantial support for Africa’s fight against terrorism and violent extremism. He emphasized that despite the economic challenges faced by ECOWAS Member States, eleven out of fifteen members have expressed their willingness to combat terrorism if they receive adequate empowerment.
Drawing a comparison, President Akufo-Addo highlighted the substantial support provided to Ukraine in response to the Russian war, with the US, EU, and the UK contributing billions of dollars. In contrast, the security assistance to ECOWAS in the same period amounted to only $29.6 million.
Akufo-Addo expressed confidence that with the right support, West African troops could effectively combat terrorism in the region, eliminating the need for foreign intervention. He cited the Accra Initiative as a successful example of indigenous self-help.
The President’s remarks were delivered during a speech on “Democracy and Security in West Africa” at the United States Institute of Peace’s Programme on Governance and Peace in Washington, D.C., on October 12, 2023.
Akufo-Addo explained the origins of terrorist groups in West Africa, tracing their movement from the Middle East and Afghanistan to Libya after Muammar Gaddafi’s fall, and their subsequent spread across the Sahara to northern Mali. He noted that they have continued to expand their influence, with coastal West African states as their ultimate target.
The President highlighted the significant displacement of populations in the Sahel due to insecurity caused by these armed groups and the attractiveness of Africa as a hub for terrorists following their defeats in other parts of the world.
Akufo-Addo acknowledged that the COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affected developing countries, leaving many regions, especially the Sahel, in dire economic straits. This has added to the challenges of mobilizing resources to combat terrorism in the region.
He emphasized the urgency of addressing these issues, stating that time is running out for multilateral cooperation in the spirit of peace and democracy. Neglecting these commitments, he warned, could lead to a more dangerous world.
