African leaders have expressed serious concern over the escalating threat of terrorism and violent extremism in West Africa. They declared a unified stance against the issue, characterizing the region as the “global epicentre” of terror attacks and emphasizing the urgency of coordinated action.
The declarations and agreements were finalized at the High-Level Consultative Conference on Regional Cooperation and Security, held in Accra from January 29 to 30, 2026. A joint communiqué outlining the outcomes was released to the media on Sunday.
West Africa is currently experiencing a significant surge in terrorist activity, with an average of eight attacks occurring daily and claiming approximately 44 lives. The region accounts for more than half of all global terrorism-related deaths. Leaders highlighted the interconnectedness of West African nations through geography, trade routes, and shared ecosystems, noting that instability in one country readily impacts others. They emphasized the need to move beyond occasional diplomatic efforts toward a permanent framework for cooperation.
The conference was chaired by Ghana’s President, John Mahama. Presidents Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone and Joseph Boakai of Liberia also led their respective delegations. Representatives from Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, and Togo participated in the discussions.
Participants reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening regional cooperation to address evolving peace, security, and governance challenges. They underscored the importance of a human security approach, emphasizing regional solidarity, respect for sovereignty, and a people-centered, gender-responsive approach to peacebuilding.
The leaders agreed to enhance intelligence and information sharing, harmonize legal frameworks, and strengthen de-radicalization programs to combat terrorism. They also committed to regular meetings to review peace and security obligations and to improve the cross-border prosecution of terrorism-related offenses while upholding human rights.
To combat the movement of criminal and extremist elements, the summit endorsed the concept of “hot pursuit” arrangements through bilateral, minilateral, or multilateral agreements. A draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and protocols on cooperation and security will be prepared within three months and finalized within six months, under the leadership of Ghana’s foreign minister.
Recognizing the limitations of military responses alone, the leaders pledged to prioritize human security issues, including food security, healthcare, job creation, and education. They stressed the importance of bolstering local governance to ensure that the state is perceived through service delivery, not solely through security enforcement.
The summit acknowledged climate change as a “threat multiplier” and resolved to integrate climate and food security into regional peace planning. A collective disaster preparedness and humanitarian response framework was also established.
The consultative conference will now be held biannually, and a mechanism will be established to track the implementation of decisions made. Leaders expressed a determination to translate commitments into measurable outcomes that protect the lives and livelihoods of citizens throughout the region.
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