The Economic Community of West African States recorded over 3,500 terrorist attacks in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger Republic in 2023 which resulted in nearly 7,000 deaths.
ECOWAS Commission, however, said the regional bloc was establishing a terrorism force to address the challenge.
The Commissioner of Political Affairs, Peace and Security, ECOWAS Commission, Amb. Abdel-Fatau Musa disclosed this at the weekly press briefing of the ECOWAS Commission held on Friday in Abuja.
Fatau noted that nearly 2,000 attacks were recorded in Burkina Faso, over 1,044 in Mali, and 500 in Niger Republic.
He explained, “The whole geographical area of West Africa is rich in human and natural resources. However, our geographic area is an area of immense vulnerability.
“Particularly the Sahel countries; in 2023 alone, over 3,500 terrorist attacks were recorded.
“This includes close to 2,000 in Burkina Faso, over 1,044 in Mali, and 500 in Niger Republic. These incidents resulted in close to 7,000 fatalities in the three Sahel countries of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.
“Burkina Faso has already taken over from Afghanistan.”
