OUAGADOUGOU: The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) celebrated its 49th anniversary on Tuesday. President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, urged member states to unite in combating terrorism.

According to Burkina Information Agency, unity is essential for maintaining peace and enhancing security efforts across member states. He emphasized that regional stability and socio-economic development depend on collective action. This anniversary comes at a challenging time, with Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger forming the Alliance of Sahel States in September 2023, citing ECOWAS’s inadequate response to security issues. Dr. Touray stressed the importance of preserving unity, quoting General Yakubu Gowon, a founding father of ECOWAS, to highlight the historical significance of regional cooperation.