The regional group emphasized the significance of its Counterterrorism Plan of Action, which attempts to address the growing threat of violent extremism, and reaffirmed its commitment to fighting terrorism throughout West Africa.

The ECOWAS Commission promised to keep assisting member nations in their endeavors to protect the safety and welfare of their citizens and expressed solidarity with the Benin government and people.

The statement added, “ECOWAS is unwavering in its resolve to eradicate terrorism in West Africa, including by implementing the Counterterrorism Plan of Action in all of its manifestations.”

In order to effectively combat the threat of terrorism, the organization also called on member states to step up regional collaboration, especially in the areas of border security and intelligence sharing.

The recent terror assaults in Northern Benin that claimed dozens of lives have been harshly denounced by the Economic Community of West African States, or ECOWAS.

Unknown armed men carried out the attacks, which targeted local populations and security forces, in the Point Trible area on Wednesday, January 8.

The government, security forces, and people of Benin, especially the families of the dead soldiers, have our deepest sympathies, the ECOWAS Commission said in a statement issued on Sunday.

According to the statement, “The Economic Community of West African States Commission categorically denounces the horrific assaults in the Point Trible region by unidentified armed men on Wednesday, 8 January 2025, which caused dozens of casualties.”