West Africa | ISS Africa

Mistrust between AES and ECOWAS countries must be overcome to enable intelligence sharing and security cooperation.

Local populations feel the effects of climate change, but new research shows only indirect links to violent extremism.

Africa’s policy and responses to the multi-faceted drug trade and user markets are showing progress.

Spanning three countries, the vast W-Arly-Pendjari Complex is being used to facilitate organised crime, terrorism and local conflicts.

Divisions over the latest draft constitution, which extends executive power and term limits, necessitate ECOWAS’ involvement.

As violence and instability rise, African countries must reaffirm their commitment to protecting children and support DDR initiatives.

Lack of funding and sharp political divisions have derailed the implementation of ECOWAS’ counter-terrorism plan.

ECOWAS should use its special summit on regional integration in 2025 to reconsider its approach to managing coups.

According to the latest statistics and trends, the increasing involvement of minors in drug use requires urgent intervention.

The pattern of targeting detention facilities shows that insurgents are determined to break their members out of prison.

This report examines the processes used to manage coups, and recommends how they could be improved.

Stability in West Africa requires that both organisations take pragmatic and flexible approaches, and learn from past mistakes.