The Chiefs of Defence Staff from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) are convening at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.
This significant meeting is chaired by Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who also leads the ECOWAS committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff.
The gathering aims to address pressing regional security issues, particularly the formation of a force to counter various security threats. Attendees include Nigeria’s Minister of Defence Mohammed Badaru, Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar, Chairman of Senate Committee on Defence Ahmed Lawan, Chairman of House Committee on Defence, representatives of the National Security Adviser, and defence chiefs from ECOWAS countries, excluding Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
General Musa emphasized the collective commitment to regional peace and the importance of upholding democratic values. He highlighted the necessity for intelligence sharing to navigate the complex security landscape. The primary agenda is the activation of the ECOWAS standby force to combat terrorism.
Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security at ECOWAS, noted the delay in the 42nd ordinary meeting due to recent political upheavals in the region. This meeting will review the implementation of previous decisions and develop a roadmap for the standby force’s activation.
In a related context, ECOWAS has called on #EndBadGovernance protesters in Nigeria to heed President Bola Tinubu’s call for dialogue amidst ongoing demonstrations. The protests, fueled by economic hardship due to the removal of petrol subsidies and forex policy changes, have led to violence, looting, and reported deaths.
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ECOWAS expressed condolences to affected families and urged protesters to maintain peace. The Commission emphasized the importance of peaceful protests as per the 2001 ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance and Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution.
President Tinubu’s recent address urged demonstrators to suspend rallies and engage in dialogue to address grievances. Despite this, protests persist across various states, driven by demands for economic reforms, government accountability, and anti-corruption measures.
The protests have resulted in deaths and property damage, with civil society organizations calling for a peaceful resolution and condemning the use of tear gas by police to disperse protesters.
