ECOWAS President Omar Touray declared a regional state of emergency on December 9, 2025, during the 55th Mediation and Security Council session in Abuja, citing rampant coups, botched mutinies, and security threats destabilizing democracy. Recent triggers include Guinea-Bissau's post-election military takeover, Benin's Sunday soldier announcement (swiftly countered by Nigerian Air Force jets at government request), and ongoing AES tensions after Burkina Faso detained 11 NAF personnel.
Touray highlighted elections as instability triggers despite ECOWAS principles, urging pooled resources against cross-border terrorism/banditry and negotiations with AES (Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger) on security pacts. With Guinea, Benin, Gambia, Cape Verde facing polls, the bloc demands introspection on democratic futures and unity amid geopolitical strains.
The move follows Sahel withdrawals and AU condemnations of Benin's plot, signaling ECOWAS resolve post-Tinubu interventions.