By MARK LONGYEN

The ECOWAS Parliament on Friday adopted a draft resolution aimed at ending the escalating scourge of terrorism and violent extremism across West Africa.

The parliament adopted the resolution at the end of its two-week 2026 First Ordinary Session in Abuja.

It also mandated the Speaker of the Parliament to forward the Resolution to the President of the ECOWAS Commission for further necessary action.

According to the lawmak7ers, the task of eradicating terrorism remains one of the major challenges currently facing West Africa and humanity, hence the need for member states to devote greater efforts to it.

The resolution urged member states to strengthen cooperation among themselves in light of the fight against the scourge, which has threatened regional peace, security, and stability.

It also called on all member states to intensify cooperation with the breakaway Sahel countries, which are the most hit by the crisis, on intelligence sharing, border security and joint military operations against terrorist groups.

The parliament said the resolution was informed by members’ deep concern over the Mali April 25 multiple terrorist attacks, which claimed the lives of Defence Minister, Gen. Sadio Camara, his family members, among others.

It said the resolution also recognised the destabilising impact of terrorism on Mali, the Sahel and the West African region, undermining democratic governance, economic development and regional integration.

The parliament said it was also mindful of the Joint Committee Report on Political Affairs, Peace, Security and the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM)/Legal Affairs and Human Rights/Social Affairs, Gender, Women Empowerment, People Living with Disabilities, Trade, Customs and Free Movement.

It said the resolution was adopted against the backdrop of the “relevant provisions of the Protocol relating to the Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution, Peacekeeping and Security.”

In adopting the resolution, the regional parliament said it was also “mindful of the provisions of Articles 6 and 13 of the Revised Treaty relating to ECOWAS institutions and the Community Parliament’s establishment.”

It further said that it was also “mindful of the Declaration of Political Principles by the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS, adopted in July 1991 in Abuja.”

While recalling the objectives of ECOWAS, which aim at promoting peace, security and stability in the region, they lauded the ECOWAS Commission for the Communiqué issued on April 26, concerning the “barbaric and unacceptable terrorist attacks on Mali.”

The resolution in Article 1 condemned the heinous, barbaric and unacceptable terrorist attacks of 25 April 2026 in certain localities of Mali, such as Bamako, Kati, Gao, Kidal, Mopti and Sévaré.

It also in Article 2 expressed sincere condolences and sympathy to the Government and people of Mali, as well as to the families of all the victims.(NAN)