The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, says the West African Chiefs of Defence have agreed to activate the standby force of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Musa said the decision was taken at the end of the 42nd Ordinary Meeting of the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff, held between Wednesday and Friday in Abuja.
The CDS, who is the Chairman of the committee, commended the defence chiefs for their commitment, dedication and contribution throughout the meeting.
According to him, we have also had notable ideas, discussions and objectively come up with creative solutions that will define the security landscape of West Africa.
“So, key discussion during this conference covered on the proposed ECOWAS security support in Sierra Leone and the activation of the ECOWAS standby force.
“Furthermore, we deliberated on issues pertaining the operationalisation of our logistic deployment in Sierra Leone and other ECOWAS peace support operations amongst others.
“More importantly are the pledges made by member states commitment and resources towards activation of the ECOWAS standby force and security support mission and Sierra Leone among others.”
Musa expressed confidence that incredible ideas and noble solutions proffered would undoubtedly enhance the defence chiefs individual and collective capacity to confront and support contemporary and futuristic security challenges.
He expressed regret that Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger were absent from the meeting, adding 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 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 objects,” he added.
The CDS emphasised that the security landscape was evolving and required a continuous collaboration to effectively address the emerging threats.
He reiterated democratic values must be upheld as well as support for various governments in line with their statutory responsibilities to ensure economic growth and development going forward.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, ECOWAS, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, said there had been trends that had defiled political life in the West African region.
Musah said that there had been an expanding insecurity spearheaded by terrorism and violent extremism as well as challenges of governance in the sub region in recent time.
According to him, West Africa is gradually being turned into an arena of great power rivalries and competition and it is within this dynamic that we see where Africa is.
He said the chiefs of defence staff had expressed their commitment and adherence to good governance, democracy and rule of law in the region.
“They, as the guardians of security, have ensured that they create that environment for governance to thrive.
“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, and all our member states have pledged support to this initiative.
“This committee has been fine tuning the roadmap towards the eventual activation of the kinetic force.
“We need to fight terrorism because our region is in mortal danger and you can see terrorism moving downwards from the Sahel to the coastal countries,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting had in attendance chiefs of defence staff from all the members countries except Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.