CDS Tasks African Defence Chiefs On Upholding Democratic Values

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa has charged West African Chiefs of Defence Staff to uphold democratic values in the sub-African region.

Gen. Musa gave the charge on Wednesday at the 42 Committee of ECOWAS Chiefs of Defence Staff meeting in Abuja.

He noted that the change of government by military in West African countries has had unintended consequences threatening democratic values in the region.

The CDS maintained that the threat of military takeover of government must be destroyed, saying it negated the core responsibilities of the military profession.

Gen. Musa stated that the military must uphold democratic values in line with their constitutions in democratic countries.

He said, “Recent challenges like the military coup in some countries in the region have had unintended consequences and have threatened our collective democratic values.

“This threat must be destroyed as it negates our core responsibilities as military professionals. Let me, therefore, use this opportunity to emphasise that, as democratic countries, we in the military must uphold democratic values in line with our various constitutions. “

He noted that the meeting would prevent coups and ensure peace and sustainable development for citizens in West Africa.

He said, “I am also optimistic that this meeting will assist us in preventing such abnormalities while strengthening our collective resolve to bring about peace and sustainable development to our people.

“Accordingly, the complexity of this meeting demands that we leverage our collective efforts, share intelligence, and coordinate our efforts across borders if we must solve these challenges.

“Thus, collaboration is paramount, and I encourage you to address both the root causes and symptoms of this security in our region. It is on this premise that the agenda for this meeting was carefully crafted to focus on critical areas and build in for our previous engagements,” Musa said.

He listed some of these critical areas to include the proposed Air Force Security Support Mission in Sierra Leone and the activation of the Air Force Standby Force against terrorism.

“Other issues in line for deliberations are the development of the Air Force Logistics Depot in Sierra Leone and Air Force Peace Support Operations. As we embark on today’s discussions, I must remind us all that your insights and experiences are paramount to support our shared mission,” he said.

Musa added that terrorism, insurgency, organised crime, violence, unconstitutional takeover of government and threatened national security also undermine the socio-economic development of the entire region.