Forum of West African security ministers opens in Niger

Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (PANA) - The 13th meeting of the forum of ministers in charge of security of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) opened on Thursday in Niamey, Niger, under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister of Niger, Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou.

The forum, which was held under the theme "The Police and Terrorism in West Africa", came on the sidelines of the 17th Annual General Assembly of the West African Police Chiefs Committee which was hosted by Niger.

In his speech, the President of the Republic, Mohamed Bazoum, explained that this forum was taking place in a context marked by major security threats, notably attacks by terrorist groups, maritime piracy, as well as trafficking of all kinds by criminal organizations.

He stressed that the governments of the sub-region were waiting for reflections and decisions on the best strategies to fight against terrorism and transnational organized crime.

The prime minister of Niger,  Mahamadou, said the threats were no longer confined to the Sahel or the Lake Chad basin.

"They have unfortunately spread to the West African coastal countries. Moreover, these armed terrorist groups have clearly stated their intention to conquer the entire West African sub-region.

Other criminal groups associated with terrorist groups or operating independently have also emerged and transcend borders," he revealed.

-0- PANA NDDT/IS/SOC/BBA/RA 31March2023