The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has declared a regional state of emergency in response to a surge in coups and attempted military uprisings across the sub-region.
The declaration was announced on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, by ECOWAS Commission President Dr. Omar Touray during the 55th Ministerial Session of the Mediation and Security Council in Abuja.
Touray warned that the recent developments highlight an “urgent need to reassess the future of our democratic systems and reinforce the security architecture of the region.”
This move comes at a time when several West African states are confronting heightened political turmoil, raising fresh concerns about the stability and durability of democracy within the bloc.
