WEST AFRICAN leaders have agreed to set up a joint regional force to intervene against jihadist insurgencies or military seizures of power.

Speaking at a summit in Nigeria on Sunday, Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) president Omar Alieu Touray said that leaders had decided to “take care of our own security in the region.”

“The leaders are determined to establish a regional force that will intervene in the event of need, whether this is in the area of security, terrorism [or to] … restore constitutional order in member countries, “a communique from the leaders said.