Leaders from the twelve nations of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have reportedly agreed to establish a new regional force to address growing insecurity across West Africa. Military chiefs reached the decision during a meeting in Sierra Leone, where discussions focussed on the rising threat of jihadist violence, the spread of transnational organised crime, and ongoing maritime insecurity in the region. The proposed force aims to assemble about two thousand troops who would respond to terrorism and instability while remaining based in their home countries, with Sierra Leone serving as a logistical hub. Officials are still working through questions about how the force will be funded, and ECOWAS has not yet issued a formal announcement. Much of the concern centres on the Sahel region, where militant groups linked to Al-Qaeda and IS have been active for years. Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger - now outside ECOWAS - are viewed as crucial to cooperation.