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Global Power Contest, AI Pose New Risks To West Africa — ECOWAS
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has warned that rising global power rivalries and the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence could worsen political instability and security challenges across the subregion.
The warning was issued on Wednesday in Abuja by Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chair of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, Timothy Kabba, at the conclusion of the 55th Session of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council held at ministerial level.
Kabba said West Africa is increasingly exposed to the effects of geopolitical competition among global powers, stressing that the region is not insulated from tensions shaping today’s multipolar world.
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According to him, both old and emerging global powers are intensifying their presence on the African continent, a development he said could place additional pressure on already fragile political and economic systems in West Africa.
He noted that Africa has historically borne the cost of major global transformations, referencing the transatlantic slave trade and earlier eras of economic exploitation, and cautioned that the current technological age could present similar challenges if not carefully managed.
Kabba expressed concern over the growing influence of artificial intelligence, saying Africa remains at the lower end of technological advancement and risks being disproportionately affected by the disruptive impact of new technologies.
“In today’s technological age, Africa is still trailing in innovation, and the pressure from artificial intelligence will likely be more pronounced on the continent, especially in West Africa,” he said.
The ECOWAS council chair also identified climate change as a major emerging security threat, explaining that climate-induced farming crises, food insecurity and environmental degradation are contributing to instability across the subregion.
Despite concerns that multilateral institutions are facing setbacks globally, Kabba maintained that ECOWAS remains a vital regional body grounded in shared culture, values and history, adding that the organisation must continue to play a stabilising role.
He further raised alarm over the resurgence of unconstitutional changes of government in West Africa, attributing them to governance failures and public discontent with democratic institutions.
Referencing the attempted subversion of constitutional order in the Benin Republic on December 7, 2025, Kabba said ECOWAS remains committed to zero tolerance for coups and unconstitutional seizures of power.
He added that leaders of the bloc are determined to support the restoration of constitutional governance in countries facing political instability, including Guinea-Bissau, while intensifying efforts to prevent further military interventions in the region.
Responding to criticisms that ECOWAS places excessive focus on political and security matters, Kabba argued that peace and stability are prerequisites for development.
“Without peace, security and stability, there can be no meaningful development,” he said.
Earlier at the opening of the meeting, President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray, warned that the region is facing escalating political and security challenges, noting that coups, attempted coups and fragile political transitions continue to threaten democratic governance in several member states.
West Africa has in recent years witnessed growing instability, with countries such as Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso under military-led administrations, while other states grapple with attempted coups and democratic setbacks.
Kabba concluded by calling for stronger cooperation, trust-building and sustained commitment among member states to safeguard democracy, peace and regional stability.
Former Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, on Thursday visited Bauchi State for a closed-door meeting with Governor Bala Mohammed amid growing political realignments in the country.
Obi, who is also a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) opposition coalition, arrived at the Bauchi State Government House where he proceeded to a private meeting with the governor at the Presidential Lounge.
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The purpose of the visit was not immediately known as both politicians held discussions behind closed doors.
Details of the meeting remained undisclosed at the time of filing this report.
However, sources within the Government House suggested that the meeting may be connected to recent political developments and possible alignments ahead of future elections, though this could not be independently verified.
Both leaders are expected to brief journalists after the meeting concludes.
Governor Bala Mohammed, who serves as Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, has recently been at the center of political speculation regarding his party allegiance.
On March 31, he reportedly hinted at a possible political shift during a meeting with a delegation of the African Democratic Congress led by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, at the Government House in Bauchi.
However, his political engagements appeared to take a different turn shortly after, as he also hosted the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, alongside Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, on April 1 at the same venue.
The latest meeting with Obi has further intensified speculation about ongoing political consultations and possible future alignments among key political actors.
President Bola Tinubu has requested the approval of the Senate for a fresh external borrowing of $516.33 million, in a move that is expected to further raise concerns over Nigeria’s growing debt profile.
The request was contained in a letter addressed to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and was read during plenary on Thursday at the National Assembly.
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According to the letter, the proposed loan is to be sourced from Deutsche Bank and will be used to finance a key infrastructure component under the government’s already approved borrowing programme—the Sokoto–Badagry Super Highway project, a major road corridor designed to enhance connectivity across the country.
President Tinubu, in the request, urged the Senate to give the proposal expedited consideration and approval, stressing the importance of the project to national infrastructure development and economic growth.
Following the reading of the letter, Senate President Akpabio referred the request to the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, directing the committee to examine the proposal and submit its report within one week.
The latest borrowing request comes amid ongoing national debates over Nigeria’s debt sustainability, as the federal government continues to rely on external loans to fund large-scale infrastructure projects.
A Kaduna State High Court has rejected the bail application filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, ordering that he remain in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) pending the determination of his trial.
The ruling was delivered by Justice D.H. Khobo, who held that the seriousness of the allegations against the former governor, as well as concerns over possible interference with ongoing investigations, made the grant of bail inappropriate at this stage.
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El-Rufai had approached the court seeking release on bail pending trial over a nine-count charge filed by the Federal Government through the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
He argued that the offences were not capital in nature and that he posed no flight risk, citing his community ties, fixed residences, and willingness to cooperate with investigators.
He also told the court that he voluntarily returned to Nigeria to honour official invitations and challenged the validity of the charges, describing them as defective.
Additionally, he raised health concerns, requesting bail on medical grounds.
However, the prosecution opposed the application, insisting that the alleged offences were serious and economically damaging, with a likelihood that the defendant could interfere with witnesses and ongoing investigations.
In his ruling, Justice Khobo held that the gravity of the charges and the risk of interference outweighed the arguments for bail.
The court also ruled that insufficient medical evidence had been provided to justify release on health grounds.
The judge therefore ordered that El-Rufai remain in ICPC custody and directed that the trial proceed on an accelerated basis, fixing early hearing dates for the case.
The former governor will remain detained as proceedings continue in the high-profile corruption trial.
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