SIERRA LEONE, FREETOWN-The 50th Ordinary Session of the Mediation and Security Council at the Ministerial level has officially opened in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
The discussions bring together foreign ministers, senior ECOWAS officials and regional security stakeholders to assess emerging challenges and chart a coordinated response aimed at promoting peace, stability and democratic governance in the sub-region.
Delivering his welcoming statement, ECOWAS Commission President, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, urged member states to strengthen their capacities to participate, prevent, and respond to emerging emergency threats in the region.
Dr. Touray also called on member countries to invest more in preventive diplomacy, mediation, and peace-building, while reinforcing their institutions and ensuring peace and security are equipped to address contemporary challenges.
He said a stable political environment remains the cornerstone of sustainable peace, economic development, and regional integration.
Meanwhile, Sierra Leone’s Foreign Affairs Minister and Chair of the Council, Timothy Musa Kabba, says the Session underscores ECOWAS’ commitment to enhancing peace, security, and democratic governance.
Minister Kabba stressed that the meeting also reaffirms the Community’s unwavering dedication to regional cooperation, guided by its shared vision, while calling for urgency to accomplish meaningful outcomes for the community.
He wants ministers, senior ECOWAS officials, and regional security stakeholders to focus more on the complex challenges confronting the region.
Minister Kabba described the capacities of member states to collaborate, consult, and act decisively as a crucial moment for the regional body.
The Sierra Leonean Foreign Minister was speaking on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at the meeting in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
At the same time, Liberia has officially asked ECOWAS to ensure the complete withdrawal of Guinean troops from the Liberia-Guinea border.
The request was made by Liberia’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for International Cooperation, Dr. Ibrahim Nyei, at the meeting.
Dr. Nyei said Liberia raised concerns over the border security situation that emerged in March this year, noting that the Guinean delegation acknowledged the presence of its troops along the border and confirmed that a gradual withdrawal is in progress in line with the March 16 agreement signed by Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone.
He described the discussion as cordial, saying ECOWAS Member States addressed the issue in a spirit of cooperation rather than confrontation.
Dr. Ibrahim Nyei commended Guinea for making significant progress in withdrawing its troops and expressed confidence that the process would soon be completed.
Meanwhile, Dr. Nyei says the meeting of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council reviewed the political and security situations across Member States, including Liberia.
He noted that Liberia also contributed recommendations to strengthen peace and stability in the sub-region.
According to him, the meeting provides an opportunity for ECOWAS to assess developments in Member States and discuss ways to address security and political challenges through regional cooperation.
He added that Member States are working together to promote peace, democratic governance, and economic development across West Africa.
Dr. Ibrahim Nyei said,” Liberia continues to benefit from ECOWAS treaties, protocols, and other regional initiatives as an active member of the organization”.