Terrorism poses a serious threat to international peace, security and stability. It is a criminal act that undermines the pursuit of democracy, good governance and development, as well as the full enjoyment of human and people’s rights. Attacks or even the threat of attack have far-reaching ramifications on trade, investment, tourism and the free movement of people, goods and services. It can also create or entrench social and cultural cleavages among people on either a racial or religious basis. Terrorism is therefore inimical to the noble aims and objectives of the Community, particularly the goals of promoting integration, economic development, peace, security and stability and raising the living standards of citizens in the Community, as enshrined in the Revised ECOWAS Treaty.

Terrorist activities in the region have demonstrated the seriousness of the threat of terrorism to West Africa and the need for firm and sustained countermeasures. A number of Community Members have experienced various acts such as kidnapping and hostage-taking, hijacking, explosive bombing, gruesome and senseless murder and assassination, and other terrorist and mercenary attacks that have deprived citizens of the Community of their basic human rights, including the rights to life and freedom from fear. In addition, citizens of the Community have been recruited into terrorist groups, which have committed atrocious acts around the world. Terrorism must therefore be categorically condemned and cannot, under whatever circumstances, be justified on any political, economic, social, ethnic, cultural, religious, ideological or health grounds. 

Community Members are confronted with a variety of challenges to peace, security, stability and development. No single Member is capable on its own of dealing with the multifaceted challenges posed by terrorism. The imperative for cooperation is premised on the fact that modern terrorism is a result of globalisation and a combination of communal and local variables. Coordination and the pooling of resources among states are key to effectively and efficiently eliminating the threat of terrorism. Terrorist activities, particularly those that are transnational or international in nature, involve several other countries. The successful prosecution of such acts requires cooperation and joint actions among various agencies in different states. In this context, cooperation in all spheres of terrorism related-matters at the Community, continental and international level is essential. 

Countering terrorism requires robust and dynamic policies that are grounded in the rule of law, democracy and respect for human rights. Under no circumstances should counter-terrorism be used as a justification for the violation of human and people’s rights. Community Members have undertaken a number of firm and binding commitments to pursue joint and common policies in the areas of defence and security, through a number of conventions and protocols that are also applicable to the fight against terrorism. 

This Strategy is intended to provide an operational policy framework for ECOWAS counter-terrorism actions and to promote a common regional approach to the prevention and combating of terrorism within the Community. It also seeks to harness support and resources at the continental and international level to enhance the capabilities of Community Members to enforce their continental and international counter-terrorism obligations and to enable them to undertake rapid responses to terrorist acts. To this end, Community Members hereby commit to strengthen collaboration, synergy and consultation on various matters related to the prevention and combating of terrorism.