ECOWAS deploys standby force to combat terrorism in West Africa

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has officially activated its standby force to tackle the growing threat of terrorism in the region.

This development follows an earlier announcement by the regional body in October last year regarding the formation of a 5,000-man kinetic force to combat insecurity across member states.

Speaking at the 43rd Ordinary Meeting of the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff in Abuja on Tuesday, Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, emphasized the collective commitment of ECOWAS nations to regional security.

“Central to our discussions in the coming days are pressing issues concerning the ECOWAS Standby Force, ECOWAS peace support operations, as well as maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea. I am confident that our deliberations will be marked by a spirit of collaboration, innovation, and determination as we work toward drafting a comprehensive strategy to address the security challenges in the subregion,” Badaru stated.

He added, “By leveraging our collective expertise, resources, and commitment, we can make a tangible impact on fostering peace, stability, and prosperity in the sub-region. In this regard, I am pleased to announce the activation of the ECOWAS Standby Force to combat terrorism in the sub-region. This activation underscores our collective determination to confront the threat of terrorism and ensure the security of the subregion.”

Despite the recent withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from ECOWAS, the regional body remains committed to maintaining economic and social ties with citizens of the three nations.

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The ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, Abdel-Fatau Musah, assured that the free movement of people and goods would continue for all West African citizens, including those from the withdrawn countries.

“As you are aware, on January 29, 2025, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger formally withdrew their membership from ECOWAS. Following the directives of the Authority of Heads of State and Government at the last summit in December 2024, the ECOWAS Commission has now initiated a contingency plan to mitigate the unforeseen consequences of their withdrawal,” Musah explained.

He further stated, “ECOWAS still has its doors open to welcome back our brothers and sisters from the three countries that recently withdrew from our community. In this regard, the ECOWAS Committee of Heads of State has directed that, despite the withdrawal, ECOWAS must maintain the free movement of people and goods, as well as the right of settlement and establishment, for all citizens of our community, including those from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. This aligns with ECOWAS’ vision of building a united community, ensuring that ordinary citizens of our member states do not suffer.”

Highlighting the importance of a secure environment for economic growth, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, urged military leaders to collaborate and support political leadership in ensuring stability.

“The complexity of the security landscape demands that we leverage our collective expertise, and intelligence assets, and coordinate our efforts across borders if we must solve these challenges. The world has become a global village, and the gap between us is shrinking even more. Thus, collaboration is paramount and imperative to address both the root causes and symptoms of insecurity in our region,” Musa stated.

He noted that discussions at the meeting would cover key security concerns, including the review of pledges for the ECOWAS Standby Force, the establishment of a Counter-Terrorist Brigade, and maritime security operations in the Gulf of Guinea.

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