During the 60th ordinary session of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Vice-President Mariam Chabi Talata suggested to Heads of State and Government a pooling of efforts in relates to the fight against terrorism.

Noting that the resurgence of the terrorist threat is rooted in the Sahel, and now at the gates of coastal countries, as evidenced by the attacks in Côte d'Ivoire, Togo and recently in Benin, Vice-President Mariam Chabi Talata called Heads of State and Government to pool efforts in the fight against terrorism. In her address, she cited as an example the recent joint maritime patrol exercise in Area E, between Togo, Nigeria and Benin, to ensure maritime safety and security in the Gulf of Guinea. It was a synergy of actions between these different countries which resulted in the signing of a memorandum of understanding in 2018 for the purpose of securing the waters of the Gulf of Guinea in general and of East Africa. West in particular