The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has raised urgent concerns that terrorism has expanded far beyond the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin, now threatening every part of West Africa.

President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Alieu Omar Touray, issued the warning during a briefing at the United Nations Security Council, where he revealed that early-warning data for 2025 has already recorded 450 terrorist attacks and over 1,900 deaths across the subregion.

Dr. Touray said extremist groups are increasingly engaging in what he described as “economic warfare,” deliberately restricting fuel supplies, disrupting trade corridors, and undermining economic stability in member states.

As part of its response, ECOWAS is accelerating the activation of its Standby Force, beginning with an initial 1,650 personnel, with plans to expand the deployment to 5,000, supported by regional governments and international partners.

He stressed that fragmented security efforts and mistrust among states continue to undermine progress, urging the Security Council to support the rebuilding of confidence, ensure predictable financing, and strengthen coordinated regional action needed to effectively counter the growing threat.