Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have boycotted the ECOWAS Defence Chiefs Meeting, reflecting their withdrawal from ECOWAS. This absence disrupts regional security efforts, prompting a strategic response from remaining member states to counter terrorism and organized crime. Discussions included addressing gaps in security and emphasizing cooperation among armed forces.

Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have excluded themselves from the 43rd Ordinary Meeting of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff, hosted at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja. This boycott is a continuation of their withdrawal from ECOWAS announced on January 28, 2024, which has weakened the bloc’s unity and security collaboration in the region, particularly against insurgency and organized crime.

The ECOWAS Defence Chiefs convened in Abuja to devise a new security strategy in light of the absence of the three Sahelian states. Amb. Abdel-Fatau Musah, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, emphasized that the meeting’s purpose was to forge a response to combat terrorism, stating that the withdrawal of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso has rendered pledges toward a counter-terrorism brigade less effective. He indicated the need to reassess and fill existing security gaps, addressing the overall troubling security situation, including terrorism and organized crime in the region.

General Christopher Musa, Chairman of the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff, remarked that the three-day meeting was crucial for fostering regional security cooperation. He underscored the need for collective action to confront security challenges, acknowledging areas of concern among members while reinforcing their commitment to national defense duties. Moreover, he noted discussions on the review of pledges for the ECOWAS Standby Force and a Counter-Terrorist Brigade.

Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso’s continued boycott of ECOWAS Defence Chiefs meetings signifies significant challenges for regional security cooperation in West Africa. The recent meeting in Abuja focused on developing new strategies to address the security void created by their withdrawal. Key figures, including Amb. Musah and General Musa, highlighted the urgent need for collective action against terrorism and other organized crimes affecting the region’s stability.

Original Source: www.arise.tv

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