15/07/2026
Foreign Minister Alhaji Timothy Musa Kabba Leads ECOWAS Ministerial Meeting on Peace and Democratic Stability in the Region
Freetown, July 15, 2026 – Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Alhaji Timothy Musa Kabba, chaired the 56th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council at ministerial level, held in Freetown.
In his opening remarks, Minister Kabba described the meeting as a key moment for ECOWAS to deepen dialogue, coordination, and joint action to advance peace, security, democratic governance, and regional integration in West Africa.
He expressed pride in Sierra Leone hosting the session and restated the country’s commitment to promoting stability and democracy in the sub-region. He also stressed the importance of regional unity based on a common goal of a prosperous and integrated West Africa.
Kabba noted the pressing need to deliver concrete results amid growing threats to democracy, including terrorism, organized crime, political violence, and institutional weaknesses. He said ECOWAS’ role in bringing member states together to consult and act quickly remains vital for regional peace and good governance.
The Minister said the session would review detailed reports on the state of the region and identify areas for improvement.
_"The people of West Africa rely on their leaders to guarantee security and prosperity,"_ he stated, while thanking technical teams, diplomats, commissioners, and staff for preparing the groundwork for the discussions.
Following a broad review of the political, security, and humanitarian situation, Kabba set the agenda for the meeting. He observed that West Africa is at a turning point, with progress in democracy being tested by ongoing security threats, political transitions, and humanitarian crises. He called for a proactive approach to assess how well the region can prevent and resolve current political challenges.
Discussions focused on political developments, elections, security, and humanitarian issues. The Council also examined the ECOWAS Standby Force, emphasizing the need for a credible, fast-deploying, and well-funded regional security mechanism. Progress on establishing the ECOWAS Economic and Social Council, as well as updates on dispute resolution, were also acknowledged.
Kabba stressed that lasting peace requires more than security — it must be built on good governance, the rule of law, inclusive development, and the empowerment of youth, women, and persons with disabilities. He said regional strategies must be grounded in reality and address shared challenges collectively.
He reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s commitment to working with other member states to ensure the session produces practical recommendations to strengthen the region’s security framework. He added that Sierra Leone’s own journey reflects the nation’s dedication to democracy and peace.
ECOWAS Commission President, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, also welcomed delegates and thanked Sierra Leone for its hospitality. He described Sierra Leone’s transition from conflict to stability as proof that dialogue, reconciliation, and regional solidarity work.
Dr. Touray highlighted global shifts affecting the region: geopolitical tensions, rapid technological change, climate impacts, and economic pressures that disproportionately affect youth and vulnerable groups.
He listed key regional threats including terrorism, extremism, cross-border crime, trafficking, cyberattacks, and the spread of misinformation. He also pointed to governance gaps, loss of public trust, political division, and reduced civic space.
Despite these, he noted positive signs such as peaceful power transfers, national dialogue, and institutional reforms. He urged ECOWAS to boost its capacity for prevention, mediation, and peacebuilding, and to ensure the region’s security structures are fit for current challenges.
_"The future of West Africa will be shaped not by the crises we face, but by how we respond to them,"_ Touray said, calling on member states to uphold solidarity, democracy, and constitutional rule.
The session also addressed the activation of the ECOWAS Standby Force as a sign of collective determination against terrorism and for constitutional order. The Commission is working to get member states to pay outstanding levies to fund the initial deployment of the counterterrorism force, with long-term funding still a priority.
The meeting ended with Minister Kabba pledging to advance key regulations for the community’s future. He officially opened the 56th Ordinary Session and called for productive deliberations. A special summit on the future of regional integration is set for July 19, 2026 in Sierra Leone.
