Sierra Leone: ECOWAS Mediation, Security Conference Kicks Off Today

The week-long ECOWAS conference in Freetown enters Day 4 today with the Peace and Mediation Council (PMC) session.

The PMC is chaired by Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alhaji Musa Timothy Kabba.

The session deliberates on peace, stability, and democratic norms in West Africa.

The region is plagued by high levels of insecurity, particularly in Nigeria, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. Although the last three countries have exited ECOWAS, insecurity in these countries remains a serious concern for the regional bloc because of their close proximity to neighbouring ECOWAS member states.

In Nigeria alone, according to the Special Representative of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Leonardo Simão, 1,258 civilians were killed between November 2025 and June 2026.

Terrorist groups now use advanced technologies such as drones and cryptocurrencies.

The PMC will also deliberate on positive developments, including the recent peaceful elections in Benin, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, and Guinea.

Chairman of the PMC and Sierra Leone’s Foreign Minister, Kabba, a petroleum engineer, had earlier showered encomiums on ECOWAS for restoring the peace and stability that his country enjoys today.

After the PMC meeting, the Ministerial Council (MC) meeting will follow, leading ultimately to the final meeting of the Heads of State and Government on 19 July 2026.