West African Defence Chiefs Unite to Break Terrorism Cycle at ECOWAS Security Summit
By Ayshatu S. Rabo
The Minister of Defence, Alhaji Muhammed Badaru, has called on West African Chiefs of Defence Staff to strengthen their collaboration in tackling the persistent threat of terrorism and armed violence in the region.
Speaking at the opening of the 43rd ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff (CDS) Meeting in Abuja, Badaru emphasized the urgent need for a unified approach to security, stressing that economic growth and development hinge on peace and stability.
The high-profile security summit, attended by ECOWAS member states, serves as a critical platform for reviewing and reinforcing regional defence strategies. Badaru highlighted the evolving nature of security threats, including terrorism, organized crime, cybercrime, climate change, and pandemics, urging a collective response.
“The imperative for our sub-region to strengthen its bonds and collective resolve is greater now than ever. We must recognize that our economic progress is fundamentally tied to sustainable peace and security,” he stated.
He commended the ECOWAS defence chiefs for their commitment and urged them to leverage their expertise and resources to develop a comprehensive and sustainable strategy for combating security threats.
A key agenda at the meeting was the activation of the ECOWAS Standby Force (ESF) to counter terrorism in the sub-region. Badaru described this initiative as a testament to the collective will of West African nations to confront insurgencies head-on.
In his remarks, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff and Chairman of ECOWAS CDS, Gen. Christopher Musa, reaffirmed the importance of regional cooperation in tackling insecurity.
“Without a secure environment, economic development will continue to elude our region. The complexity of today’s threats demands that we coordinate efforts across borders, leveraging intelligence and military expertise,” Musa said.
The summit also examined the security implications of the recent withdrawal of three Sahelian nations Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from ECOWAS. Abdel-Fatau Musah, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, noted that the Sahel remains the global epicenter of terrorism, accounting for 51% of worldwide terror-related deaths in 2024, according to the Global Terrorism Index.
Musah warned that the shifting security alliances and declining Western influence in the Sahel demand urgent attention. He urged ECOWAS defence chiefs to prioritize the deployment of the ECOWAS Standby Force in its full capacity to counter terrorist networks destabilizing the region.
The ECOWAS defence chiefs reaffirmed their commitment to fostering a peaceful, secure, and prosperous West Africa, pledging to enhance military cooperation, intelligence-sharing, and joint operations.
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As the meeting continues, participants are expected to finalize strategies for strengthening regional security frameworks and mobilizing resources for combating emerging threats.
With terrorism and instability threatening West Africa’s progress, the outcome of this summit could be a defining moment in ECOWAS’ efforts to restore security and economic prosperity across the region.
West African Defence Chiefs Unite to Break Terrorism Cycle at ECOWAS Security Summit