The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is actively addressing the potential ramifications of the recent withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from the regional bloc.
The ECOWAS Commission, through its Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Abdel-Fatau Musah, revealed that a contingency plan has been initiated to mitigate the unforeseen consequences of this significant development.
The formal departure of these three nations, which occurred on January 29, necessitates a thorough reassessment of the existing security framework within West Africa and the broader Sahel region. Musah emphasized the critical need for a detailed analysis of the implications of this withdrawal on regional security, particularly as the security landscape remains highly volatile.
The Central Sahel region continues to be the epicenter of insecurity, with littoral states bearing the brunt of the escalating pressure. The Global Terrorism Index highlights the severity of the situation, indicating that the Sahel accounted for a staggering 51 percent of global terrorism-related deaths in 2024.
The complex interplay of factors, including weak governance, ethnic tensions, and ecological degradation, has fueled the rise of terrorism, a problem exacerbated by the presence of transnational jihadist groups and geopolitical competition. The formation of the Alliance of Sahelian States, coupled with the decision to sever Western security and economic ties, further complicates the regional dynamics.
Musah called for a unified and concerted effort to reinforce the shared aspirations of a peaceful, secure, and prosperous ECOWAS region. He stressed the urgency of strengthening regional cooperation to address the multifaceted security challenges that persist.
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A key focus of the ongoing deliberations is to advance the planning for the activation of the ECOWAS Standby Force in its kinetic form, specifically for the purpose of combating terrorism. This initiative underscores the commitment to taking proactive measures to safeguard regional stability.
The current meeting of the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff in Abuja serves as a platform to review the tasks assigned from the previous meeting in August 2024 and to assess recent developments and the overall security situation in the region. The security landscape remains fraught with challenges, including the activities of terrorist armed groups, transnational organized crime, and banditry.
In a positive development, Musah highlighted the significant progress made by ECOWAS towards the operationalization of the Regional Logistics Depot in Lungi, Sierra Leone. The physical construction of sites one and two has been completed, and the furnishing process is currently underway, marking a crucial step in enhancing the logistical capabilities of the region.
The meeting is being attended by the Chiefs of Defence Staff from the remaining ECOWAS member states, including Benin Republic, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, the Gambia, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Senegal, and Togo. Their participation underscores the collective resolve to address the evolving security challenges and ensure the stability of the West African region.
