NIGERIA’S President Bola Tinubu has called on West African leaders to expedite the deployment of the ECOWAS Standby Force, stressing the urgent need for a coordinated regional response to terrorism.
Speaking at the 67th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in Abuja yesterday, Tinubu emphasized that the delay in operationalizing the force undermines efforts to address growing security threats across the region.
“We must act decisively to operationalise the ECOWAS Standby Force as an effective instrument for peace and stability in our region,” he said.
Tinubu, who was addressing the summit in his capacity as outgoing chairman of the ECOWAS Authority, handed over leadership to President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone during the session.
He reiterated Nigeria’s continued commitment to regional peace, integration, and prosperity.
He warned that no country can confront terrorism and external threats in isolation, calling for strengthened political will and a unified security approach among member states.
Expressing concern over the slow pace of the force’s activation, Tinubu noted that the delay is inconsistent with the urgency of the security challenges facing the sub-region. “We must move the ECOWAS Standby Force from concept to operational reality now,” he said.
He also highlighted a key milestone under his tenure—the completion of the ECOWAS military logistics depot in Lungi, Sierra Leone—which he said will be instrumental in supporting deployed regional forces.
The sub-region continues to face significant threats from extremist groups including Boko Haram, ISWAP, and Al-Qaeda affiliates.
Recent withdrawals by Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso from ECOWAS have further strained regional cooperation, complicating joint counterterrorism operations.
Niger’s withdrawal in March from a multinational force with Nigeria, Chad, and Cameroon around Lake Chad has disrupted intelligence sharing and cross-border security efforts.
According to the 2024 Global Terrorism Index, the Sahel remained the global epicenter of terrorist activity, accounting for over 50% of extremist-related fatalities worldwide.