NIGERIA’S Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has confirmed that West African defence leaders have agreed to activate the standby force of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
This decision was reached following the 42nd Ordinary Meeting of the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff, held in Abuja from Wednesday to Friday.
As the Chairman of the committee, General Musa lauded the defence chiefs for their dedication and meaningful contributions during the meeting. He highlighted that the gathering produced innovative ideas and strategies that could reshape the security dynamics in West Africa.
“The key focus of our discussions included the proposed ECOWAS security support in Sierra Leone and the activation of the ECOWAS standby force,” General Musa stated.
He also mentioned that the meeting addressed the logistics and operationalization of ECOWAS peace support initiatives, with particular attention to the situation in Sierra Leone.
He said member-states pledged their commitment and resources towards the activation of the ECOWAS standby force and the ongoing security support mission in Sierra Leone, among other objectives.
General Musa expressed confidence that the ideas and solutions generated at the meeting would enhance the capacity of the defence chiefs, both individually and collectively, to address current and future security challenges in the region.
Speaking on the absence of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger Republic at the meeting, the defence chief said that efforts were on to return them to the regional bloc.
“They are brothers, and we look forward to when they will come back safely into the ecosystem because, as nations, no one nation can withstand the current challenges that we have.
“We need to work as a team because we are stronger together.
“It is also imperative that we continue to encourage collaboration among other countries by reducing differences, share resources and leveraging each other’s strengths to maximise our impact and achieve shared objectives,” he added.
General Musa reiterated the need to uphold democratic values and support national governments in fulfilling their duties, which are critical to ensuring economic growth and development in West Africa.
In addition, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, noted the growing challenges facing the region, including terrorism, violent extremism, and governance issues. He warned that West Africa is becoming a battleground for global power rivalries, which adds to the complexity of the region’s security environment.
Ambassador Musah affirmed the commitment of the defence chiefs to promoting good governance, democracy, and the rule of law across the region. He emphasized that the ECOWAS standby force’s activation is crucial in combating terrorism, as the threat continues to spread from the Sahel to coastal nations.
The meeting was attended by defence chiefs from all ECOWAS member countries, except for Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
Eighteen-Eleven Media