ECOWAS considers a $2.6B annual budget for a 5,000-strong security force to combat terrorism amid increasing instability in West Africa.

West Africa's ECOWAS bloc is considering a $2.6B annual budget for a 5,000-strong security force to combat terrorism amid escalating political crises and coup-related instability. Defense and finance ministers discussed the potential force's funding and size during a meeting in Abuja. Since 2020, military-ruled countries in the region have conducted coups, leading to the exit of Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali from the 15-member ECOWAS union.

June 27, 2024
9 Articles