WEST AFRICAN LEADERS AGREE ON REGIONAL ANTI-TERRORISM FRAMEWORK
By:Safiya Abdulrahim Dabban
West African leaders have agreed to establish a permanent regional framework to confront the growing threat of terrorism, violent extremism, and cross-border crime, warning that delay is no longer an option. The resolution was reached at a high-level security conference in Accra, Ghana, where leaders described the sub-region as the current global epicentre of terrorism, with frequent attacks and heavy loss of life.
They committed to deeper cooperation through regular security consultations, stronger intelligence sharing, coordinated legal action against terror offences, and closer border collaboration, while upholding human rights.
The leaders also emphasized that lasting peace requires more than military force, adopting a human-security approach that addresses food security, jobs, healthcare, education, governance, and the growing impact of climate change.
A regional cooperation agreement will be drafted and finalized within six months, with the conference set to continue as a bi-annual platform to monitor progress.