At a recent sitting in Abuja, lawmakers of the ECOWAS Parliament called for a thorough probe into the surge of terrorist attacks in West Africa and renewed incidents of xenophobic violence targeting African migrants in South Africa.
The resolution was reached during plenary at the First 2026 Ordinary Session of the regional parliament on Tuesday.
The move followed a motion raised by Ghanaian legislator and Third Deputy Speaker, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who described the situation as urgent and of serious regional concern.
Parliament subsequently directed its Committee on Political Affairs to examine recent terrorist incidents across the sub-region, particularly in Mali and Burkina Faso, as well as attacks against ECOWAS nationals in South Africa.
In presenting the motion, Afenyo-Markin stressed the need for accountability and stronger safeguards, citing growing fears over the safety of West African citizens both within the region and abroad. Referring to parliamentary rules, he urged colleagues to address what he termed a matter of pressing importance.
He recalled a February 14 attack in northern Burkina Faso, where suspected militants linked to Al-Qaeda reportedly intercepted a vehicle carrying Ghanaian traders, killing several occupants and destroying the vehicle. He said such incidents highlight the human cost of insecurity and its disruption of regional trade.
The lawmaker also referenced a separate attack in Mali on April 25, which he said resulted in the death of the country’s Defence Minister, Sadio Camara, and severely affected trade routes between Ghana and Mali. According to him, the situation has raised concerns about the safety of travelers along the corridor.
He further criticised gaps in the implementation of ECOWAS’ free movement framework, noting that citizens often face difficulties at borders despite longstanding regional agreements.
Attention was also drawn to recurring xenophobic violence in parts of South Africa, including KwaZulu-Natal, Cape Town, and Pretoria, where foreign nationals have reportedly been attacked, displaced, and had their businesses looted.
While acknowledging public statements condemning such violence by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, he maintained that stronger enforcement actions are necessary to deter perpetrators and protect vulnerable communities.
He also called on South African authorities to ensure prompt, transparent investigations and prosecutions, and proposed that the matter be formally communicated to the country’s parliament and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
The parliamentary resolution underscores growing regional pressure for decisive measures to curb insecurity and uphold the rights and safety of citizens across Africa.