ECOWAS activates counterterror force

[gurusforum]

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Security analysts are praising ECOWAS, the Economic Community of West African States, for activating its regional standby force but remain doubtful about its effectiveness following the recent withdrawal of three member states.

Nigerian Defense Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar announced the activation of a standby military force Tuesday on the sidelines of the 43rd security meeting of the Economic Community of West African States, or ECOWAS. The force, expected to comprise 5,000 troops, is part of a broader regional security strategy to curb terrorism and cross-border crimes.

Abubakar said the initiative aims to mobilize personnel and resources to combat terrorism spreading across the subregion and urged security counterparts to seize the opportunity and coordinate efforts against threats.

"I am pleased to highlight the activation of the ECOWAS standby force to combat terrorism in the subregion," said Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, Nigeria's defense minister. "The activation of this force underscores our collective determination to confront the stretch of terrorism with regards to insecurity and ensure the safety and security of our citizens."

ECOWAS security chiefs also discussed peace support operations and maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.

The force's activation follows a report by the Global Terrorism Index, which identified Africa's Sahel region as the global epicenter of extremism ? accounting for half of all terror-related fatalities in 2024. This marks an almost tenfold increase compared to 2019.