Expect More Secure West Africa, Says ECOWAS Defence Chiefs

The Chiefs of Defence Staff of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have reaffirmed their commitment to ensure a more secured region.

This renewed vow followed the activation of ECOWAS’ 5,000-strong Standby Force, a significant move to bolster regional defence capabilities.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 43rd Ordinary Meeting of ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff, the chairman of the committee and Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, said the three-day was geared at promoting regional security and cooperation within the ECOWAS Community and forging common front in addressing the region’s security challenges. They pledged to ensure the sub-region‘s safety and stability.

Gen. Musa said the meeting had identified some critical vulnerabilities to regional security and demonstrated their firm resolve towards addressing the threats.

He said, “As expected, there were areas of concern between members but more importantly there was firm resolve on the need for collective action.

“This is the spirit of this gathering which is firmly rooted in a resolute commitment to meeting our primary obligation as members of the armed and defence forces of our respective countries which is to defend and protect our peoples from harm and insecurities.

“Within the past days, we have deliberated over critical security concerns in the West African Sub Region. Some of these areas, include the review of pledges for ECOWAS Standby Force, consideration of pledges for ECOWAS Counter-terrorist Brigade and the rotation of Staff Officers of Peace Support Operation Divisions and ECOWAS Standby Force.

“Others were the presentation on the outcome of the Governmental Experts Meeting on the ECOWAS Logistics Concept and Standing Operating Procedures for ECOWAS Logistics Depot in Lungi.”

The CDS said the meeting provided an opportunity to review the report of last ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Naval Staff Meeting, and a presentation on Standardization of the Table of Equipment for ECOWAS Standby Force.

“Our deliberations have been fruitful, productive and would definitely lead to concrete actions that will further strengthen our collective efforts towards achieving a more secure and prosperous Community,” he said.