ECOWAS Activates Standby Force Against Terrorism

Following the movement of terrorism from the Sahel down to coastal regions, the Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff of Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) have resolved to contribute troops towards activating its standby force.

The resolution was reached at the end of the 42nd committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff of ECOWAS in Abuja.

The chairman of the committee, Major General Christopher Musa said security landscape within the region is ever-evolving and will require continuous collaboration to effectively address them.

He charged ECOWAS to uphold democratic values and support various governments in line with statutory responsibilities to ensure socio-economic growth and development

He said “More importantly, are the pledges made by member states to commit men and resources towards activation of the ECOWAS Standby Force and the Security Support Mission in Sierra Leone amongst others. Our commitments to the pledges remain key and will require our words to be backed by action.  Nonetheless, I have no doubt in my mind that we will not renege on our promises”.

He reiterated  belief that the ideas and novel solutions proffered will enhance the region’s individual and collective capacity to confront and surmount contemporary and futuristic security challenges.

“However, I have full confidence that with our unwavering resolve we will together surmount the challenges we face.”

He therefore, urged all to maintain open lines of communication and collaboration and strengthen the bonds of camaraderie and friendship that have been formed “for it is through these connections that we can continue to learn from one another and support each other”.

Earlier, the commissioner for Political Affairs, Conflict and Security, ECOWAS, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah has said West Africa is gradually being turned into an arena of great power rivalries and competition said terrorism was already moving from the Sahel to the coastal states.

“And one of the key items of the agenda is the continued activation of the ECOWAS standby force in its kinetic mode to fight terrorism in our region. Terrorism moving is downwards from the Sahel to the coastal countries.

“In the past few weeks, we’ve had at least about four or five highs, very powerful attacks in our region, in Niger, in northern Mali, and we’ve had cross border incursions into the coastal countries of Benin and Togo. So, nobody is sort of safe from the terrorists. And that is why the committee of chiefs of defense that have met here to see and then to work out modalities for confronting this existential threat that is facing our sub region.”