Dare Babalola
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has declared a state of emergency in the region.
The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray, formally declared a state of emergency in the region on Tuesday, during the 55th session of the Mediation and Security Council held at the ministerial level in Abuja.
The meeting was convened in response to a wave of coups and failed mutinies sweeping across the sub-region.
Touray said the developments highlight the “imperative of serious introspection on the future of our democracy and the urgent need to invest in the security of our community”.
West Africa has seen a surge in military takeovers in 2025, raising concerns about regional stability. The latest attempt was in Benin, where a group of soldiers, calling themselves the Military Committee for Refoundation, briefly announced the ouster of President Patrice Talon on December 7, 2025. The coup was quickly foiled by loyalist forces, with Interior Minister Alassane Seidou confirming the government’s control over the situation.
Just before the Benin attempt, Guinea-Bissau experienced a successful coup on November 26, 2025, when President Umaro Sissoco Embalo was arrested by military officers led by Brigadier General Dinis Incanha. The military established a transitional government, citing concerns over the disputed election results. This coup is the ninth in Guinea-Bissau’s history since independence in 1974, highlighting the country’s longstanding political instability.
These incidents are part of a broader wave of military interventions in West Africa, following coups in countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has condemned these actions, emphasising the need to uphold democratic principles. With insecurity and governance challenges fueling public discontent, the region faces an uncertain future, prompting calls for stronger regional leadership and reforms to prevent further destabilisation .
