In recent years, the West African sub-region has been faced with a wave of terrorism, resulting in the death of hundreds of people, destruction of public and private properties, and the displacement of millions. In response, states and multilateral institutions within and outside the sub-region have developed and introduced different mechanisms to address the issue. This article, however, investigates the experience of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in counterterrorism in West Africa. The idea is not to go over the role of ECOWAS with a fine-tooth comb but to focus attention on the themes that have emanated from its different efforts to address the problem. Specifically, it examines the kind of issues and challenges ECOWAS has faced in the current international political environment and the factors that influenced its ability to respond effectively to these issues and challenges.

中文翻译：

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次区域安全挑战：西非经共体与西非反恐战争

近年来，西非次区域面临着恐怖主义浪潮，造成数百人死亡，公共和私人财产遭到破坏以及数百万人流离失所。作为回应，该次区域内外的国家和多边机构已经建立并采用了不同的机制来解决这一问题。但是，本文研究了西非国家经济共同体（ECOWAS）在西非反恐方面的经验。这个想法不是要用细齿梳理西非经共体的作用，而是要集中注意力于其为解决该问题所作的不同努力而产生的主题。具体来说，