The Nigeria's Chief of Defence Staff and Chairman ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa has declared close the 43rd Ordinary Meeting of the ECOWAS Committee of the Chiefs of Defence Staff in Abuja with a pledge to continue fight against the growing threat of terrorism in the region, noting that the task ahead of Defence Chiefs are daunting but with their collective resolve, they will overcome.
General Christopher Gwabin MMusasaid this in his closing remarks noted that the meeting has been most rewarding. Deliberations have been sincere and forthright with collective security being accorded the desired priority.
The 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 security challenges.
He said in the course of our deliberations, Defence Chiefs identified critical vulnerabilities to regional security and demonstrated their 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.
"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. Furthermore, a presentation was made on Standardization of the Table of Equipment for ECOWAS Standby Force.
"I am therefore confident that the outcome and recommendations from our discussions and deliberations will address the issues and challenges facing our region. Our deliberations have been fruitful, productive and would definitely lead to concrete actions that will further strengthen our collective efforts towards achieving a more secure and prosperous Community." he stressed
The meeting was held at the National Defence Headquarters (DHQ) in Abuja, Federal Republic of Nigeria, from 11th to 13th March 2025. It was chaired by General Christopher Musa, Chief of Defence Staff of Nigeria and Chairman of the CCDS, with support from H.E. Abdel-Fatau Musah, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security.
