Sahel: ECOWAS must give priority to dialogue rather than power struggle with AES States
In a recent meeting discussing the activities of the United Nations Office for West Africa, Russian Deputy Permanent Representative Anna Evstigneïeva raised crucial questions regarding ECOWAS’s stance in the face of the growing terrorist threat in the Sahel region.
The Russian diplomat’s call for a reassessment of ECOWAS’s approach towards countries like Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, engaged in restoring their territorial integrity and sovereignty, rekindles the debate on the need to establish a West African military force to combat terrorism.
Rather than favoring bellicose rhetoric, the idea of a joint military force could be reconsidered in favor of enhanced cooperation among the region’s countries.
This proposal takes into account the complexity of the challenges facing states like Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, which seek to restore stability in socio-politically challenging contexts, exacerbated by the terrorist threat.
Anna Evstigneïeva commended the decision of the Alliance of the Sahel states (AES) countries to engage in regional integration to combat terrorism, emphasizing that ECOWAS should instead support these nations in finding effective solutions against this constantly expanding threat.
The Russian diplomat thus highlights the importance of collaboration and dialogue to address a menace that transcends national borders.
As ECOWAS explores approaches to enhance regional security, the creation of a joint military force could be reconsidered to promote constructive cooperation rather than unilateral actions.
This proposal could potentially facilitate better coordination of efforts, thereby fostering a more effective and tailored response to security challenges in the Sahel region.
Maurice K. ZONGO
