ECOWAS Bolsters Regional Security With Revamped Early Warning Taskforce By Raymond Enoch

The Economic Community of the West African States (ECOWAS) has in a decisive step to confront the growing threats destabilization of West Africa, intensified its commitment to regional security through the reinforcement of its Joint Analysis and Response Planning Working Group (JARP-WG).

Launched in 2022, the JARP-WG is now being positioned as a linchpin in ECOWAS’ early warning and rapid response architecture. Speaking at the opening of the 2025 technical session in Zuma Rock, Nigeria, ECOWAS Vice-President Ms. Damtien Larbli Tchintchibidja—represented by Acting Director of Early Warning, Dr. Onyinye Onwuka and called for urgent action against the region’s worsening human security threats.

“Terrorism, violent extremism, transnational crime, climate change, poverty, epidemics, and unconstitutional changes of government continue to undermine peace and stability in West Africa,” Dr. Onwuka stated. “The JARP-WG strengthens our joint capacity to detect, analyze and respond to these crises in real time.”

This year’s three-day session brings together key players from National Early Warning and Response Centres across ECOWAS member states, ECOWAS Commission departments, and the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP). The goal: to assess the region’s 2024 human security landscape and chart forward-looking, actionable priorities for 2025.

Participants are tasked with refining analytical inputs and identifying practical, cross-border strategies for peace and stability. Special emphasis is placed on building a coordinated, people-centered approach that addresses the root causes of insecurity.

With JARP-WG structured around five key human security themes—security, crime, health, environment, and governance—ECOWAS is banking on enhanced collaboration to drive more cohesive and proactive responses.

As part of the proceedings, experts Marcel Bossou and Nanténé Coulibaly Seck presented tools from ECOWARN 2.0, ECOWAS’ upgraded early warning system, to further support regional coordination and real-time data analysis.

“Our collective success hinges on the commitment of all stakeholders,” Dr. Onwuka emphasized. “With JARP-WG, we’re not only improving preparedness—we’re protecting lives and safeguarding the future of our region.”