The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) revealed that it has earmarked $25 million in 2024 to tackle terrorism in Nigeria, Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso.
Fatou Sarr, ECOWAS Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs, made this announcement during a press briefing at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Sarr explained that out of the $25 million, $4 million is designated for humanitarian efforts aimed at alleviating the dire consequences of terrorism and mitigating the impact of natural disasters in the sub-region.
Responding to concerns about the absence of Burkina Faso, Niger, and neighboring French-speaking countries from ECOWAS, Sarr emphasized that humanitarian efforts persist regardless of sanctions or geopolitical boundaries. She underscored the importance of such actions given the multiple crises and displacements within the community.
“In 2024, ECOWAS allocated $9 million for internally displaced persons, refugees, asylum seekers, and the host communities across all 15 member countries,” Sarr stated. “Additionally, $1 million has been allocated for stabilization efforts in Nigeria, focusing on victims of terrorism, displaced individuals, rehabilitation, and enhancing community resilience.”
However, questions have been raised about the utilization of these funds, particularly regarding the allocation to Nigeria, amidst a surge in terrorist attacks and banditry within the country. There are doubts about whether financial aid alone is sufficient to address terrorism in affected nations.
In addition to addressing security challenges, Sarr highlighted the role of sports in fostering integration among youths from ECOWAS member countries. She revealed that ECOWAS supports sports federations with $100,000 annually and collaborates with the People’s Republic of China to empower young people through entrepreneurship projects.
Furthermore, Sarr announced plans for an ECOWAS youth conference in May 2024 to assess the current situation in the region and identify strategies to address existing challenges.
