ECOWAS Opens 44th PRC Session in Freetown, Pushes for Stronger Regional Security, Unity

By Iyojo Ameh

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Wednesday opened the 44th Session of its Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC) in Freetown, Sierra Leone, with a renewed call for stronger regional unity, enhanced security cooperation and accelerated integration to confront the region’s growing political and security challenges.

The high-level meeting, taking place at the Bintumani International Conference Centre, brings together ambassadors, permanent representatives and senior ECOWAS officials to review the bloc’s political, peace and security agenda ahead of decisions by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.

Welcoming delegates, Sierra Leone’s High Commissioner to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Dr. Julius F. Sandy, described the hosting of the session as a significant step toward strengthening regional ownership of the ECOWAS integration agenda and bringing the institution closer to the people.

According to him, holding the meeting in Freetown reflects ECOWAS’ commitment to building a people-centred organisation capable of responding to the aspirations and challenges of West Africans while increasing its visibility across member states.

Dr. Sandy said Freetown’s historical significance made it a fitting venue for the meeting, recalling its role as the former capital of British West Africa and home to Fourah Bay College, the first university in sub-Saharan Africa, which earned Sierra Leone the title of the “Athens of West Africa.”

He also highlighted Sierra Leone’s contributions to the region’s political, intellectual and cultural development, noting its early railway system, newspaper industry, aviation history and legacy as a refuge for liberated Africans after the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade.

While acknowledging ECOWAS’ achievements over the past five decades, Dr. Sandy said the regional bloc continues to face evolving political, humanitarian, economic and security challenges that require stronger cooperation among member states and renewed commitment to the organisation’s founding principles of unity, solidarity and peaceful coexistence.

He urged delegates to conduct their deliberations with openness and objectivity, expressing confidence that the outcomes of the session would strengthen ECOWAS institutions and deepen regional integration.

Speaking on behalf of ECOWAS Commission President, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security warned that West Africa is facing a defining moment as terrorism, violent extremism, organised crime, unconstitutional changes of government, maritime insecurity and climate-related challenges continue to threaten regional stability.

He commended Sierra Leone for hosting the meeting and praised member states for their continued commitment to democracy, peace and regional integration, while cautioning that recent democratic gains remain fragile without sustained collective action.

The Commissioner said delegates would examine the region’s political and security situation, preventive diplomacy efforts and preparations for the activation of the ECOWAS Counterterrorism Force, which regional leaders have approved to strengthen the bloc’s response to terrorism.

He also drew attention to mounting financial pressures affecting ECOWAS peace operations, revealing that the ECOWAS Stabilisation Mission in Guinea-Bissau has cost more than 44.6 million US dollars since 2022, while the mission in The Gambia has exceeded 174.7 million US dollars since its deployment in 2017.

According to him, the Commission also faces outstanding reimbursement obligations of more than 116 million US dollars owed to troop- and police-contributing countries, warning that the funding gap must be addressed to facilitate the planned deployment of the ECOWAS Counterterrorism Brigade by 2027.

Beyond military responses, the Commissioner stressed the need to prioritise human security by addressing humanitarian crises, climate-related shocks and conflict-induced displacement, while strengthening the ECOWAS Early Warning and Response Mechanism and sustaining election observation missions across the region.

Reviewing achievements during his four-year tenure, the Commissioner highlighted mediation efforts during political crises, support for democratic transitions, expansion of election observation missions, operationalisation of the ECOWAS Logistics Depot and activation of the ECOWAS Standby Force in its kinetic mode to combat terrorism.

He also cited progress in maritime security, implementation of the West African Police Information System (WAPIS) and the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS), as well as strengthened regional action against the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.

Looking ahead, he announced that preparations are at an advanced stage for the Special Summit on the Future of Regional Integration in West Africa, scheduled for 19 July 2026, where leaders are expected to adopt the Compact of the Future, a strategic framework designed to guide the next phase of ECOWAS integration.

He concluded by urging member states to remain united and committed to building a peaceful, democratic, secure and prosperous West Africa, stressing that regional cooperation remains the bloc’s strongest response to emerging security and governance challenges.