ABUJA, March 11 – West African Defence Chiefs gathered in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, on Tuesday for the 43rd Ordinary Meeting of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff. The three-day summit aims to enhance regional security cooperation amid growing threats across the sub-region.
In his welcome address, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, reaffirmed the commitment of ECOWAS member states to ensuring collective security and fostering a stable environment conducive to economic growth and development. The meeting follows deliberations held in August 2024 and seeks to assess current security challenges while advancing strategic responses.
“The presence of our esteemed colleagues today underscores our shared dedication to entrenching a secure environment for the safety and well-being of our people,” said General Musa. “Security remains a prerequisite for sustainable economic development, and it is imperative that we support our political leadership in fostering stability across our region.”
The conference agenda includes a review of pledges for the ECOWAS Standby Force, considerations for a Counterterrorism Brigade, and discussions on the rotation of peace support operations personnel. Maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea and logistical frameworks for the ECOWAS Standby Force are also key topics of discussion.
“The evolving and transnational nature of today’s security threats demands coordinated action,” Musa emphasized. “We must leverage our collective expertise, intelligence assets, and cross-border coordination to address these challenges effectively.”
The defence chiefs will also review outcomes from the recent Governmental Experts Meeting on the ECOWAS Logistics Concept and Standard Operating Procedures for the regional logistics depot in Lungi, Sierra Leone. Further deliberations will focus on standardizing the table of equipment for ECOWAS forces.
General Musa expressed gratitude to Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his leadership and support, as well as to the ECOWAS Commission and the Honourable Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, for their commitment to regional security initiatives.
“As we embark on these discussions, let us honor the sacrifices of our men and women in uniform and work towards actionable strategies that will strengthen security frameworks across West Africa,” he concluded.
The summit, which runs until March 13, is expected to produce resolutions that will reinforce ECOWAS’ strategic approach to countering insecurity in the region.
