ABSTRACT
This chapter explains to understand the phenomenon of persisting instability and insecurity resulting from the activities of civil militias. It argues that the transnational character of this problem recommends a regional rather than a national solution. The chapter focuses on the challenges which civil militias pose to returning conflict-torn societies to peace and at what ECOWAS is doing to address the problems arising from these groups. The civil militias or non-state armed groups, which still operate in many countries in West Africa, remain a major threat to human and therefore national security. Removing this threat will greatly enhance the prospects of restoring security to the sub-region, and create the environment for development to take place. The regional organisation ECOWAS as well as its various programmes designed to restore peace and security to the area are to be strengthened by external support being directed to these.
