The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is fine-tuning strategies to meet the $2.61 billion annually required to emplace a 5,000-personnel West African Standby Force.
The Ministers of Defence and Finance from the regional bloc gathered in Abuja to finalize plans for funding the regional counter-terrorism force.
ECOWAS aims to establish a 5,000-personnel standby force to tackle security challenges in the region, with an initial deployment of 1,650 personnel.
The region will require an estimated $481.5 million for the initial 1,650-personnel brigade and $2.61 billion for the full 5,000-personnel force in the first year.
The meeting addressed the challenge of funding the already activated standby force and explored modalities for mobilizing funds.
Dr. Omar Alieu Touray emphasised that terrorist activities have serious implications for international trade and investment in the region, and ECOWAS leaders have identified terrorism as a major threat to the integration effort of the body.
ECOWAS has been actively engaged in counter-terrorism efforts, deploying a multi-faceted approach that includes developing a comprehensive Counter-Terrorism Strategy and Implementation Plan, establishing a Standby Force, and fostering regional cooperation.
Nigeria’s Minister of Defence Mohammad Badaru Abubakar highlighted the complex and evolving threats of terrorism and violent extremism, transnational organized crimes, and the resurgence of unconstitutional changes of government.
He emphasised the need for predictable, sustainable, and transparent funding modalities to support the regional counter-terrorism force.
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