Expert Places ECOWAS and AU Counterterrorism Efforts Under Scrutiny

***Says Nigeria and ECOWAS Face Challenges in Comprehensive Counterterrorism Efforts Despite Significant Investments

Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

The Abuja School of Social and Political Thought has called for a paradigm shift in understanding and addressing security challenges in Nigeria while advocating for a human-centric approach and improved operational capabilities.

Addressing newsmen during a policy dialogue yesterday in Abuja, three key members of the School, Director of the School Dr. Sam Amadi, Distinguished Fellow Prof. Udenta Udenta, and Distinguished Fellow Elder Ayokunle Fagbemi, all stood with the notion that enhanced intelligence sharing, cooperation among member states, and a focus on addressing the root causes of terrorism are critical to achieving lasting peace and security in the region.

The event was themed, “ Appraising the success of counter-terrorism measures in the defense of democracy in west Africa.”

They emphasized that ECOWAS’s counterterrorism strategy, which includes preventative measures, questioning tactics, and reconstructive efforts, has faced significant challenges.

The school noted that the region’s action plan, backed by a $2.3 billion budget from 2020 to 2024, aimed to eradicate terrorism through comprehensive support for member states but has largely failed to materialize.

While the G5 Sahel initiative, a multinational joint task force, has shown some effectiveness, Dr. Amadi highlighted that many neighboring countries have independently pursued their own counterterrorism measures, leading to fragmented efforts.

The African Union has also established several initiatives to combat terrorism, including the AU Peace and Security Council’s harmonization efforts and the creation of the African Centre for the Study and Research on Terrorism in Algiers. Additionally, the AU adopted the African Model Law on Counterterrorism and has focused on enhancing intelligence sharing and operational capabilities across member states.

Despite these efforts, the school criticized the lack of good governance and the failure to address the root causes of terrorism, such as poverty, unemployment, and political mobilization. The National Counterterrorism Strategy (NCTS) of Nigeria, established in 2016, was also scrutinized for its lack of independent assessment and operational effectiveness.

The school highlighted the shifting geopolitical landscape, with increasing influence from global powers such as China. This shift complicates regional security dynamics and underscores the need for a holistic and coordinated approach to common security challenges. The rise in geopolitical competition and the proliferation of arms in the region exacerbate existing security threats.

The school noted the significant economic burden posed by security challenges, highlighting the inadequacy of current budget allocations for counterterrorism efforts. Moreover, the lack of a comprehensive assessment of Nigeria’s national power and counterterrorism strategies hampers effective implementation and coordination.