ECOWAS Defense Chiefs Propose $2.66 Billion To Combat Terrorism
By Adoba Echono
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission has proposed an annual financing of $2.67billion for equipping and operationalization of the 5000 ECOWAS counter terrorism force in a bid to tackle the prevailing insecurity challenges bedeviling the West African region.
The Nigerian Minister of Defence Mohammed Badaru Abubakar disclosed this at the opening ceremony of the meeting of Ministers of Defence and Ministers of Finance to discuss the activation of a regional force against terrorism and unconstitutional government changes.
The Minister said the committee of ECOWAS Chiefs of Defence Staff in the alternative also proposed a brigade of 1,650 men at an estimated cost of $481million.
He noted that the figures underscore the gravity of the task before Defence Chiefs and the necessity of a robust and sustainable resource mobilization strategy.
The Minister expressed concern that the region is threatened by insecurity, terrorism and violent extremism, saying the cross border and movement of terrorists groups in the sub region is affecting the internal security of member countries.
Abubakar noted that the aim of the meeting was to deliberate on the modalities for financing and equipping for ECOWAS counter terrorism force and to critically review the options considering the current challenges confronting various member states.
“Our commitment is vital to crafting a sustainable financing model that addresses the immediate security threat and lay the foundation for long term stability and resilient for our region, according to Abubakar.”
The President of the ECOWAS Commission Omar Alieu Touray in his welcome remarks noted that the meeting is in line with the instructions given to the commission by the Heads of State and Government during the 64th Ordinary Session held on the 10th December 2023.
He recalled that the Authority instructed the Commission to expedite the convening of the meeting of Ministers of Finance and Defense of Member States to agree on the modalities for the mobilization of internal financial, human and material resources on a mandatory basis to support the deployment of the regional counter-terrorism force.
While noting that some member states have lost control of important parts of their territories to terrorist groups, Touray noted that according to the 2024 Global Terrorism Index, the epicenter of terrorism has shifted from the Middle East and North Africa into the sub-Saharan African region, especially the Sahel region.
According to Touray, “The Sahel is the most affected region within the Sahara, accounting for over half of all deaths from terrorism and 26% of attacks. in 2023. Some of our member states have become countries with the highest impact from terrorism for the first time, with fatalities increasing by 68%. with fatalities increasing by six.”
He emphasized that all 15 ECOWAS member states have been invited to take part in this important meeting. And the reason is certainly the authorization and the approval given to the Commission’s proposal to this effect sometime in the future.
The ECOWAS President noted that although some countries might be under suspension, they need to be allowed to take part in meetings relating to security as well as sectoral matters saying we cannot fight terrorism alone or while others are not participating
‘’ That is why the Commission proposed to the Authority, through of course the Council of Ministers, that although countries might be under suspension, they should be allowed to take part in meetings relating to security as well as in sectoral matters.”
The report of the Committee of Chiefs of Defense Staff containing their proposal towards the mobilization of the kinetic force to fight terrorism, which includes the logistics, personnel, and financial requirements of raising was presented at the meeting.
Jide Ibitoye.
