The Economic Community of West African States has stated that the incessant coups in some countries in West Africa drive insecurity in the sub-region.

The ECOWAS Commission President, Omar Touray said this while giving his welcoming address at the 51st Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council at Ministerial Level in Abuja, on Wednesday.

West African countries that have experienced coups in the past two years include Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Guinea.

Touray said: “On the political front, the transition roadmaps and timetables agreed with the transition authorities in Mali, Guinea, and Burkina Faso for rapid and peaceful restoration of constitutional order have been implemented at varied paces amid worsening security situations.

“The attempted coup d’état in Niger has further distracted attention from the support to these transition processes as the transition countries seek to forge solidarity with the military authorities in the Republic of Niger, thereby, creating an impression of a divide between them and ECOWAS.”

He also lamented the economic implications of coup. He said; “In just Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, a total of 4.8 million people face food insecurity, 2.4 million people are internally displaced, and close to 9,000 schools remain closed.