West African leaders have discussed setting up a force to combat extremists at the summit of Economic Community of West African States. Heads of states including presidents from Ivory Coast, Niger and Mali met in Dakar yesterday.
The threat of extremism in the region has increased following major attacks by al-Qaida-linked militants in Mali, Burkina Faso and in Ivory Coast. The Nigeria-based Boko Haram, which has declared its support for the Islamic State group, continues to carry out attacks in Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger and Chad.