(Ecofin Agency) - The President of Niger, Issoufou Mahamadou (pictured), during a virtual meeting held on Jan 23 as part of the 58th Ordinary Session of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, stressed the need for the institution to strengthen its anti-terrorism agenda.

In his speech, the Head of State talked about the security emergency facing the community. "There is no doubt that terrorism is today the greatest security threat facing our sub-region," he said. He also urged his peers to accelerate the implementation of a community response.

"The continuing deterioration of the security situation requires from us not only strong solidarity in mobilizing financial resources, but also the activation of the ECOWAS standby force. The countries in the region that haven’t faced terrorism so far must anticipate it because as popular wisdom says: if you see your neighbor's beard on fire, water your own,” he said.

President Issoufou Mahamadou also thanked ECOWAS for its support to the ongoing electoral process in Niger and promised that his country will always show a strong commitment to the smooth running of integration programs.

Mawulolo Ahlijah