Accra: President Dr. Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone has warned that terrorism and violent extremism in West Africa have reached a dangerous stage, where armed groups are no longer merely testing states but are actively seeking to dismantle them. He insisted that fragmented and reactive responses were no longer acceptable. President Bio made the remarks at the Summit of Heads of State and Government, held as part of the High-Level Consultative Conference on Regional Cooperation and Security in Accra. It was aimed at strengthening collective responses to insecurity in West Africa and the Sahel.
According to Ghana News Agency, President Bio emphasized that more than half of all terrorism-related deaths worldwide now occur in the region, describing the situation as a global emergency that could not be addressed by any single country acting alone. He highlighted the human cost of insecurity, which is being exacerbated by poverty, weak institutions, climate shocks, and declining regional cohesion. He pointed out that the region's responses have too often been fragmented and reactive, which must change.
President Bio, also the Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of States and Government, stressed the necessity of coordinated and decisive action, thanking President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana for convening leaders at a critical time. He underlined that intelligence sharing, mobility, logistics, and coordinated operations are essential for regional and international peace and security. The Sierra Leonean leader warned that failure to act together would mean insecurity continues to define the region's future.
The President called for a unified response, anchored in cooperation within the Economic Community of West African States and engagement with neighboring states, including Mauritania and Algeria. Despite political tensions and transitions in parts of the region, President Bio insisted that dialogue and cooperation are unavoidable. He urged efforts to bridge trust and coordination gaps between ECOWAS, the Alliance of Sahel States, and neighboring countries.
Highlighting the need for stronger alignment of existing regional security mechanisms, President Bio warned against fragmentation and overlap. He cited initiatives such as the Accra Initiative and the Multinational Joint Task Force, calling for better coordination and resourcing. He emphasized the importance of operationalizing and funding the ECOWAS Conflict Prevention Framework to enhance the region's capacity to respond to threats.
President Bio called for improved intelligence cooperation, stronger border management, and intensified collaboration with international partners to disrupt terrorist networks. He pointed to the necessity of governance reforms, service delivery, and economic recovery to rebuild trust and prevent radicalization. Drawing from his military background, he cautioned against relying solely on force.
President John Dramani Mahama, who chaired the Summit, remarked that Ghana convened the summit to forge a shared consensus towards regional safety. He warned against division, stating that it would only weaken collective security, and emphasized the importance of cooperation against violence, extremism, and terrorism. President Mahama described the summit as an initial step towards building a platform for renewed engagement and cooperation, aiming to establish a framework to confront the threats to lives, property, economies, and development in the region.