By Gloria Ikibah
The Parliament of Economic Community of West African States has issued a forceful condemnation of the deadly terrorist attacks that rocked Mali in April, describing them as “heinous, barbaric and unacceptable” in a resolution adopted during its 2026 First Ordinary Session in Abuja.
Meeting from 4 to 17 May, lawmakers used the regional sitting to address the escalating security crisis in the Sahel, with particular focus on the coordinated attacks of 25 April 2026 across multiple Malian cities, including Bamako, Kati, Gao, Kidal, Mopti and Sévaré. 
In the resolution, adopted on 15 May, Parliament declared: “The ECOWAS Parliament strongly condemns the heinous, barbaric and unacceptable terrorist attacks of 25 April 2026 in certain localities of Mali.”
The attacks claimed the lives of several civilians and soldiers, including Mali’s Defence Minister, General Sadio Camara, and members of his family — a development lawmakers said underscores the deepening threat posed by extremist violence in the region.
Expressing solidarity, the Parliament stated: “It expresses its sincere condolences and sympathy to the Government and people of Mali, as well as to the families of all the victims.”
The session, held under the framework of the bloc’s revised treaty and long-standing security protocols, highlighted growing alarm over the destabilising impact of terrorism across West Africa. Legislators warned that continued attacks risk undermining democratic governance, economic progress and regional integration.
“The eradication of terrorism is one of the major challenges currently facing humanity,” the resolution reads, stressing the urgent need for a unified and intensified response.
To that end, Parliament called on member states to step up joint efforts, urging stronger collaboration with Mali and other Sahel nations.
“It emphasises the need to strengthen cooperation between States in the fight against this scourge which threatens the peace, security, and stability of the entire West African region,” the document stated.
Lawmakers further pressed for enhanced intelligence sharing, tighter border security and coordinated military operations against armed groups operating across the region.
The Parliament also commended the ECOWAS Commission for its swift response following the attacks, referencing its 26 April communiqué which denounced the violence.
In a formal step, the resolution mandated the Speaker of Parliament to transmit the adopted text to the President of the ECOWAS Commission, reinforcing the bloc’s institutional response to the crisis.
The Abuja session marks one of the strongest parliamentary interventions yet on the deteriorating security situation in Mali, as regional leaders grapple with persistent instability in the Sahel belt.
