The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has announced plans to deploy a 260,000-strong rapid deployment counter-terrorism brigade to combat terrorism in the subregion. According to Dr. Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, this initiative is aimed at strengthening the fight against terrorism, which has become a significant threat in the region.
Speaking at the inaugural African Chiefs of Defence Staff Summit in Abuja, Dr. Touray emphasized the need for a concerted effort to address the asymmetric security dynamics in the region. The proposed force will provide logistical and financial support to frontline states, with Ministers of Finance and Defence from member countries scheduled to meet in Abuja to finalize the modalities for an annual $2.5 billion budget.
The ECOWAS leader noted that the Sahel region has become a hotspot for global terrorism, accounting for 51% of terrorism-related deaths worldwide in 2024. Local communities, particularly women and children, have borne the brunt of the violence, with the war economy from illegal mining and illicit taxation exacerbating the insecurity.
The proposed counter-terrorism brigade will complement the African Union’s standby force framework under the African Peace and Security Architecture. Dr. Touray urged the African Union and the United Nations to support regional counter-terrorism operations, citing the UN Security Council Resolution 2719 of December 2023, which pledged to fund 75% of African-led peace support operations.
The activation of the counter-terrorism brigade is a significant development in the region’s efforts to combat terrorism. With the support of bilateral and multilateral partners, ECOWAS aims to make a meaningful impact in the fight against terrorism. The success of this initiative will depend on the ability of member states to work together and provide the necessary resources to support the brigade’s operations. As the region continues to grapple with the challenges of terrorism, the deployment of the counter-terrorism brigade is a crucial step towards restoring peace and stability in the subregion.
