The Chiefs of Defence Staff of the Economic Community of West African States have reiterated their commitment to regional security, vowing to enhance peacekeeping and counter-terrorism efforts across the subregion.
The renewed pledge came during the closing ceremony of the 43rd Ordinary Meeting of the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff in Abuja.
Speaking on behalf of the region’s Defence Chiefs, the Chairman of the committee and Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, stated that the three-day meeting was focused on fostering security cooperation and forging a unified front against threats to regional stability.
Musa noted that the Defence Chiefs had identified some critical vulnerabilities to regional security and demonstrated their firm resolve towards addressing these threats.He also said that discussions during the meeting covered the deployment of the ECOWAS Standby Force, the consideration of an ECOWAS Counter-Terrorism Brigade, and the strategic rotation of peace support officers.
Musa said, “As expected, there were areas of concern between members but more importantly there was firm resolve on the need for collective action.
This is the spirit of this gathering which is firmly rooted in a resolute commitment to meeting our primary obligation as members of the armed and defence forces of our respective countries which is to defend and protect our peoples from harm and insecurities.
“Within the past days, we have deliberated over critical security concerns in the West African Sub Region. Some of these areas include the review of pledges for the ECOWAS Standby Force, consideration of pledges for the ECOWAS Counter-terrorist Brigade and the rotation of Staff Officers of Peace Support Operation Divisions and ECOWAS Standby Force.“Others were the presentation on the outcome of the Governmental Experts Meeting on the ECOWAS Logistics Concept and Standing Operating Procedures for ECOWAS Logistics Depot in Lungi.”
Musa also said the meeting provided an opportunity to review the report of the last ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Naval Staff Meeting and a presentation on the Standardization of the Table of Equipment for the ECOWAS Standby Force.“Our deliberations have been fruitful, productive and would definitely lead to concrete actions that will further strengthen our collective efforts towards achieving a more secure and prosperous Community,” he said.
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