The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is taking steps to establish a standby force to assist Nigeria and other West African nations combatting terrorism. The regional bloc aims to raise $2.4 billion for this initiative to address the escalating terrorism in the Sahel region.
During a three-day consultative session in Abuja, ECOWAS Commissioner Abdel-Fatau Musah highlighted the urgent need for action against terrorism, emphasizing that Burkina Faso has surpassed Afghanistan as the most-terrorized state globally. He stressed the threat of terrorist organizations to the entire region, citing the impact on coastal countries like Benin, Togo, Ghana, and Cote d’Ivoire.
While acknowledging Nigeria’s success in weakening Boko Haram, Musah underscored the necessity for counter-terrorism efforts to prevent further spread across the region. He outlined plans for an advance and rapid reaction force to confront terrorist bases, requiring $2.4 billion for the first year of operation.
Member-states have been instructed to contribute $1 billion to initiate the standby force, with Defense and Finance Ministers convening to devise funding strategies.
