Military chiefs from the West African subregion are considering establishing an ECOWAS counter-terrorism brigade, amongst others.
The Chairman of ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa made the disclosure during the closing ceremony of 43rd Ordinary Meeting of the ECOWAS chiefs of defence staff, today in Abuja.
According to Musa, “As we wrap-up the 43rd Ordinary Meeting of the ECOWAS Committee of the Chiefs of Defence Staff, I am delighted to note that this meeting has been most rewarding. Deliberations have been sincere and forthright with our collective security being accorded the desired priority.
“In the course of our deliberations, we identified critical vulnerabilities to regional security and demonstrated our firm resolve towards addressing these threats. 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.”
He noted that within the past days, they have deliberated over critical security concerns in the West African Sub Region.
“Some of these areas, include the review of pledges for ECOWAS Standby Force, consideration of pledges for 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. The Meeting also provided an opportunity to review the report of last ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Naval Staff Meeting.
“It is with great pleasure and honour that I stand before you all to deliver this closing remarks on the occasion of the closing of the 43rd Ordinary Meeting of the ECOWAS Committee of the Chiefs of Defence Staff. Our gathering over the past 3 days has been geared at promoting regional security and cooperation within the ECOWAS Community and forging common front in addressing our security challenges.”
He added: “I wish to thank the Chairman of ECOWAS Heads of States and Government, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for his leadership and support in making this Meeting a reality. I wish to also thank the Minister of Defence for his presence and support for this meeting.
“I am indeed grateful to all the ECOWAS Chiefs of Defence Staff from Benin Republic, Cape Verde, La Cote D’Ivoire, The Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Senegal and Togo who took out time out of their busy schedule to grace this Meeting. The task ahead of us is daunting but with our collective resolve, we shall overcome. I wish you all a safe journey as we depart back to our various destinations.”