ECOWAS decides to create peacekeeping force against jihadism

Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea were at the top of the agenda at the 62nd summit of heads of state and government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Nigeria's capital Abuja on Sunday. The summit discussed the process of metamorphosis in the three countries, which are united by the military coup. Senior officials also called on Mali to release by the end of the month the 46 Ivorian soldiers detained since July. The summit also focused on the fight against Islamic jihadism, which has been showing its teeth in the region for years. 

This plan is summarised in the so-called "4x4 Goals" to improve peace and security in the face of terrorism, jihadism and criminal activity, as well as to deepen regional integration, good governance and inclusive and sustainable development through "capable institutions and equitable partnerships". On other issues, the summit also saw the swearing in of the new President of the ECOWAS Commission, the Gambian Omar Alieu Touray, who is now the head of the organisation's main executive body. 

The group's mediator provided the leaders with a new assessment and steps for future relations with the junta in question, which is characterised by strong and public opposition to the sanctions imposed by ECOWAS. Assessments will look at the current state of transition in Guinea, what is expected of Burkina Faso's Captain Ibrahim Traoré, the influence of Russian media in Mali and their relationship with the head of the military junta, Colonel Assimi Goitia, who has held dozens of Ivorian military personnel in detention in Bamako for the past four months. 

The region's armies, largely powerless against jihadist forces, have been cooperating with external actors such as the UN, France and Russia. ECOWAS committee chairman Omar Alieu Touray said the decision would "restructure our security architecture". Defence ministers from participating countries will review the details of the planned regional forces in the second half of 2023, Touray stressed. Funding for the force has not yet been decided, and ECOWAS officials stressed that such an operation cannot rely solely on voluntary contributions. 

Several countries in the region have fallen victim to jihadist expansion that began in northern Mali and has reached the centre of the country, as well as Burkina Faso and Niger, spreading south to the Gulf of Guinea. Insecurity is an important military factor. Coups in Mali, Burkina Faso and elsewhere in Guinea have shaken the region since 2020. ECOWAS, concerned about instability and proliferation, has been trying for months to quickly repatriate civilians belonging to its states, two of which have been severely affected by the spread of jihadism. 

In less than a year, both countries have suffered two coups d'état. West African leaders are watching the actions of others as they move towards what they call a 'return to constitutional order'. In Mali, "it is absolutely imperative to restore constitutional order as planned," said Omar Touray. On Burkina Faso, he expressed ECOWAS' "serious concern" about the security situation and the humanitarian crisis. Omar Touray in Guinea called on the junta to involve political parties and civil society in the process of returning civilians to power. 

The main political parties and much of civil society opposed the junta's proposal for dialogue. If such dialogue is not possible in Guinea itself, the junta should explore the possibility of dialogue in another ECOWAS country.