By Ebi Kesiena
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission has proposed an annual budget of $2.67 billion to equip and operationalize a 5000-strong counter-terrorism force to address the region’s security challenges.
Nigerian Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, announced this during the meeting of Defence and Finance Ministers.
This meeting aimed to discuss the activation of a regional force against terrorism and unconstitutional government changes.
Abubakar stated that the ECOWAS Chiefs of Defence Staff also proposed an alternative force of 1,650 men at a cost of $481 million. These figures highlight the importance of a sustainable resource mobilization strategy.
Abubakar expressed concerns about the region’s insecurity, terrorism, and violent extremism, emphasizing the cross-border movement of terrorist groups. He noted that the meeting’s goal was to deliberate on financing and equipping the ECOWAS counter-terrorism force and review options considering the challenges faced by member states.
“Our commitment is vital to crafting a sustainable financing model that addresses the immediate security threat and lays the foundation for long-term stability and resilience in our region,” Abubakar stated.
Also, ECOWAS Commission President Omar Alieu Touray noted that the meeting followed instructions from the Heads of State and Government during the 64th Ordinary Session adding that the authority had directed the Commission to expedite the meeting to agree on the mobilization of internal financial, human, and material resources to support the deployment of the regional counter-terrorism force.
Touray highlighted that some member states have lost control of significant territories to terrorist groups, with the 2024 Global Terrorism Index indicating that the epicenter of terrorism has shifted to sub-Saharan Africa, particularly the Sahel region.
Meanwhile, he emphasized that all 15 ECOWAS member states were invited to participate in this crucial meeting, including those under suspension, to ensure a unified fight against terrorism.
