ABUJA, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Tuesday declared a state of emergency in the region, citing multiple incidents as evidence of a rapidly deteriorating security environment.

ECOWAS Commission President Omar Touray made the announcement during the 55th Session of the Mediation and Security Council at the ministerial level in Abuja, the Nigerian capital.

He said that recent developments underline the "imperative of serious introspection on the future of our democracy and the urgent need to invest in the security of our community."

Assessing West Africa's political climate, Touray noted that ECOWAS member states currently face an average rating of "high risk," based on country-by-country analyses, thereby demanding immediate and concerted action.

"The risk factors are the persistence of military interventions (Guinea-Bissau and the Republic of Benin just days ago); non-compliance with transition norms in Guinea, where we face a military leader turning civilian; growing erosion of electoral inclusivity across multiple states; expanding influence of terrorists, armed groups, and criminal networks; and increasing geopolitical pressures affecting member states' diplomacy and cohesion," he explained.

"Elections have become a major trigger of instability in our community," he said, while noting the troubling trends within the ECOWAS region.

Urging the need for a coordinated regional response to terrorism and cross-border crime, Touray confirmed an ongoing discussion with the Alliance of Sahel States to confront the challenge. Enditem