In a call to action, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has urged his West African counterparts to swiftly activate the ECOWAS Standby Force, a collective defense mechanism aimed at combating the growing threat of terrorism in the sub-region. Speaking at the 67th ECOWAS Authority’s Ordinary Session in Abuja, President Tinubu emphasized the need for the force to transition from a conceptual framework to an operational reality, citing the escalating insecurity across the region.
As one of his final acts as chairman of the 50-year-old regional economic bloc, President Tinubu expressed concern over the slow pace of the force’s activation, which he believes is taking longer than expected. He stressed that the threats facing the region are transnational, driven by agile and dangerous networks that disregard national borders, making it imperative for a collective approach to address these challenges. “The ECOWAS Standby Force must move from concept to operational reality,” he said, adding that “no single nation can, therefore, address these challenges alone.”
During his tenure as chairman, President Tinubu highlighted several notable achievements, including the completion of the ECOWAS Military Logistics Depot in Lungi, Sierra Leone. This depot is expected to play a critical role in providing equipment and logistics to forces deployed by ECOWAS. Additionally, he mentioned Nigeria’s commitment to sea-lift and air-lift arrangements with ECOWAS, following the signing of the Sixth Agreement with the African Union in Addis Ababa last February.
President Tinubu also expressed optimism about the potential return of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to the ECOWAS community, citing ongoing diplomatic engagements with these countries. He emphasized the need for deeper economic cooperation, empowering the private sector, and removing trade barriers to unlock West Africa’s economic potential. “Our intra-regional trade remains low, even as we possess the potential to be an economic powerhouse,” he noted, stressing the importance of creating an enabling environment for innovation to flourish.
The Nigerian leader further called for the speedy implementation of key regional infrastructure projects, including the West African Gas Pipeline, West African Power Pool, and Abidjan–Lagos Corridor Highway. These projects, he believes, will serve as catalysts for the development and integration of the region. The summit was attended by several West African presidents, including Julius Bio of Sierra Leone, Joseph Boakai of Liberia, and John Mahama of Ghana, among others.
As the region continues to grapple with the challenges of terrorism, insecurity, and economic development, President Tinubu’s call to action serves as a reminder of the need for collective action and cooperation among West African nations. The activation of the ECOWAS Standby Force and the implementation of key infrastructure projects are crucial steps towards addressing these challenges and unlocking the region’s potential for growth and prosperity.
