In a bid to improve West Africas’ readiness to counter-terrorism, a summit was held yesterday in Abuja, the Nigerian capital, aimed at improving the region’s response to threats from Islamist militant groups.
Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, who organised the two-day event, said it aimed to focus on finding African-led solutions to the insecurity.
In recent years jihadist groups have increased their attacks across the Sahel region despite the presence of thousands of international troops.
Three countries worst affected by the violence – Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger – have not sent officials to the summit.
They are all under military rule following coups – a situation which has strained relations with other nations in the region.