ECOWAS has announced a contingency plan in response to the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from the regional bloc. Commissioner Abdel-Fatau Musah highlighted the need for a critical analysis of security in West Africa following this withdrawal, emphasizing the ongoing insecurity in the Central Sahel and urging collaboration to promote regional stability and prosperity.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission has devised a contingency plan to address the implications stemming from the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from the association. This initiative was announced by the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Abdel-Fatau Musah, during a meeting of the ECOWAS Committee of the Chiefs of Defence Staff (CDS) held in Abuja.

Musah emphasized the necessity for comprehensive analysis following the formal exit of these countries, which occurred on January 29. He urged defence chiefs to evaluate the repercussions of this withdrawal on the security framework in West Africa and the Sahel region. The Commissioner pointed out that the Central Sahel remains the focal point of significant insecurity, which is exacerbated by the littoral states facing mounting pressure.

Furthermore, Musah cited alarming statistics, indicating that the Sahel accounted for 51 percent of global terrorism fatalities in 2024, as reported in the Global Terrorism Index. He linked persistent issues such as weak governance, ethnic strife, and ecological distress to the rise of terrorism, compounded by transnational jihadist activities and geopolitical rivalries. Musah noted a shift in the Alliance of Sahelian States, marked by diminishing Western involvement in matters of security and economic assistance, alongside their withdrawal from ECOWAS.

He concluded by advocating for collective action to bolster mutual aspirations towards a peaceful, secure, and prosperous ECOWAS region.

Together, these insights underscore the critical need to reassess security measures in light of political changes in the region, ensuring sustained collaboration amongst the member states to confront emerging challenges effectively.

In summary, ECOWAS is actively addressing the security challenges posed by the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. The organization is focused on implementing a contingency plan and urging its defence leaders to critically assess the local impacts of this political upheaval. The call for collaborative efforts highlights the essential pursuit of stability and peace within the region amidst evolving vulnerabilities.

Original Source: www.ripplesnigeria.com

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