By Olayemi Esan
Nigeria's Chief of Defence Staff and Chairman of the CCDS, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, with the support of His Excellency Abdel-Fatau Musah, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, has declared open the 43rd Ordinary Meeting of the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff (CCDS) convened in Abuja.
The meeting is currently ongoing at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) in Abuja, Federal Republic of Nigeria, from 11th to 13th March 2025.
The Special Guest of Honour, the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar said in his remarks that the meeting underscores their shared commitment to addressing the critical security challenges confronting ECOWAS Sub region.
The defence minister urged all the Defence Chiefs to be reminded of the complex and multifaceted security landscape involving their sub-region.
"It is imperative for us in the sub-region to strengthen our bond and collective resolve now or never. The rise of the populace and ideology among global powers indicates that we will be left to our fate in the emerging global order.
"We must, as a sub-region, recognise that our strength towards economic growth and development would imputably be fundamental on a sustainable peace and security.
"We as stakeholders must identify and suitable adjust to the changing order of the global landscape in which emerging threats and terrorism organised crime, climate change, cyber crime respect no boundaries.
He charged them to take advantage of the meeting to close ranks against those threats. Their strategy must be focused on sealing frontlines in West Africa to deny terror and insecurity.
In his welcome address, the Nigeria's Chief of Defence Staff and Chairman of the CCDS, General Christopher Musa, stressed the importance of the meeting as to emphasize the importance of synergy through experience sharing, intelligence exchange, and collective efforts in combating terrorism and other forms of transnational organized crime.
General Musa said the agenda for the meeting was carefully crafted to focus on critical areas while building from our previous engagements.
He noted that some of these critical areas, include the proposed review of pledges for the ECOWAS Standby Force, consideration of pledges for ECOWAS Standby Force Counterterrorist Brigade and the rotation of Staff Officers of Peace Support Operations Divisions and ECOWAS Standby Force as well as Maritime Security in the Gulf of Guinea.
"Others are 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 will also present and review the report of last Chiefs of Naval Staff Meeting. Furthermore, there will be a presentation on Standardisation of the Table of Equipment for the ECOWAS Standby Force." he added
General Musa also remiIted all Defence Chiefs that their insights and experiences are paramount to their collective mission, while their sincerity and constructive commitments are essential for productive deliberations.
"To this end, I encourage us to enthusiastically exchange ideas and strategies during this meeting for the benefit of all. I also wish to
"I enjoin you to always remember the sacrifices made by our men and women in uniform and honour their dedication to maintaining peace."he said
In his remarks, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, His Excellency Abdel-Fatau Musah, call for concerted actions to strengthen our shared aspirations for a peaceful, secured and prosperous ECOWAS Region. It is expedient for this Meeting to further give momentum to the ongoing planning for the activation of the ESF in its kinetic form for the fight against terrorism.
He noted that the 43rd Meeting has been convened to discuss the tasks assigned from your last meeting in August 2024 and to examine recent developments and the general security situation in the region, among others.
He said ECOWAS continues its support for the stabilization of Guinea Bissau and The Gambia. "I wish to draw your attention on the Decision of the Authority of Heads of State and Government during its last Summit in December 2024 in Abuja instructing the Commission to deploy a mission to assess the financial implications and the current security and political situations in Guinea Bissau.
"Due to changing security dynamics in the region, it is imperative that the pledges made by our TCCs/PCCs are reconfigured in compliance with the directives to activate the ESF in its kinetic mode. I am pleased to disclose that the impact assessment options are being worked out by the Commission in order to mobilize the required financial resources to enable you confront these challenges.
"I am pleased, however, to note the presence of the Chair of the Chiefs of Naval Staff to brief you on the outcome of their meeting held this February in Praia - Cabo Verde. I am sure we shall get more details on the current happenings within the maritime sector and the prospects in boosting the blue economy in Member States."he said
In his goodwill message, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olukayode Egbetokun urged all Defence Chiefs to share their experiences and deliberate towards fostering and entrenching a secured environment for the safety and well being of the people in ECOWAS region.
It would be recalled that the 42nd Ordinary Meeting of ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff (CCDS) was held between 7th and 9th August, 2024 in Abuja where they reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to tackling the numerous security challenges that continue to threaten political stability and the socio-economic well-being of citizens in the region.
They also reiterated their commitments to raising an overall 5,000-man ECOWAS Standby Force (ESF) with a start-up of a 1,650-man Counter-Terrorism Brigade as an immediate priority in relation to the activation of the ECOWAS Standby Force (ESF) to fight terrorism in the Region.
At the August 2024 meeting, the Defence Chiefs approved a Mission with a strength of 1200 all ranks and made pledges towards raising the force, including the establishment of a Force Headquarters, Joint Intelligence Fusion Centre, and a composite battalion which was in response to the directive of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government at its 64th Ordinary Summit held in Abuja on 10 December 2023 on the deployment of an ECOWAS Security Mission to Sierra Leone to help stabilize the country.
They also expressed their firm resolve to pool resources and strengthen their collective determination to protect stability and democratic governance in West Africa, recognizing that no single nation can address these challenges alone.
Spye TV News reports that, at the 43rd Ordinary Meeting of the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff (CCDS) the Defence Chiefs are expected to discuss, assess, and reach agreements on their state of readiness, focusing on capabilities, personnel, and logistics of their armed and security forces in their region.