Nigeria, May 18 -- Coordinated terrorist attacks that struck military positions and civilian areas in Mali last month appear to have spurred a fresh push by the Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for stronger regional cooperation against violent extremism across West Africa.

Persistent attacks by jihadist groups and armed extremists continue to undermine stability, displace communities and worsen humanitarian crises across the Sahel and neighbouring coastal states.

The attacks in Mali have resulted in severe humanitarian tightrope, with terrorists enforcing blockades across major city roads and attacking those showing resistance.

The attacks, staged by Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM)-an al-...