ECOWAS has launched a contingency plan to address the implications of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger’s withdrawal from the bloc. Commissioner Abdel-Fatau Musah urged defense chiefs to analyze the impact on regional security, noting the Sahel’s struggles with terrorism and geopolitical shifts. The meeting focused on reinforcing collaborative efforts and operationalizing the ECOWAS Standby Force to combat these challenges.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission has initiated a contingency plan in response to the potential repercussions stemming from the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. During a recent meeting in Abuja, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, Abdel-Fatau Musah emphasized the necessity for a thorough analysis of the security arrangements within West Africa and the Sahel region due to the formal exit of these nations on January 29.

Musah urged ECOWAS defense chiefs to scrutinize the implications of this withdrawal for regional security in their discussions. He referenced data from the Global Terrorism Index, indicating that the Sahel region accounted for 51 percent of global terrorism-related deaths in 2024, exacerbated by issues such as weak governance, ethnic tensions, and ecological degradation along with the influence of transnational jihadist groups.

He noted that the shifting allegiances within the Alliance of Sahelian States reflect a move away from Western involvement in security and economic affairs, signifying a departure from ECOWAS. Furthermore, Musah called for a collaborative effort to reinforce shared aspirations for a safe, secure, and prosperous ECOWAS region, particularly emphasizing the urgent need to activate the ECOWAS Standby Force for counter-terrorism operations.

The meeting was convened to evaluate tasks assigned in their previous gathering in August 2024, while also addressing contemporary developments and the overarching security challenges facing the region. The ongoing security crisis, characterized by terrorist activity, organized crime, and banditry, remains a formidable obstacle; however, Musah highlighted positive developments regarding the operationalization of the Regional Logistics Depot in Lungi, Sierra Leone.

He reported that the construction of initial sites is complete and currently being furnished by ECOWAS. The meeting saw participation from the Chiefs of Defence Staff of various member states, including the Benin Republic, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Senegal, and Togo.

In conclusion, the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from ECOWAS necessitates urgent action to reassess and strengthen regional security arrangements. The implications of this political shift highlight the ongoing challenges of terrorism, governance, and international collaboration in the Sahel. Through concerted efforts and activation of the ECOWAS Standby Force, there exists potential for improved security and stability in the region.

Original Source: punchng.com

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