President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E. Dr. Omar Touray
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is mobilizing approximately $2.61 billion to activate its proposed 5,000-strong Standby Force, aimed at combating terrorism and stabilizing the region, according to Dr. Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission.
Speaking at a joint meeting of ECOWAS Ministers of Finance and Defence in Abuja on Friday, Touray emphasized the urgent need for this force to address escalating security threats.
“Terrorism remains a significant obstacle to regional integration,” Touray stated, highlighting how extremist activities disrupt trade, investment, and the free movement of people and goods across West Africa.
He referenced the 2025 Global Terrorism Index, noting that Africa has surpassed the Middle East as the global epicenter of terrorism, with the Sahel region particularly affected due to political instability and weak governance.
ECOWAS has adopted a multi-faceted counter-terrorism strategy, including intelligence sharing, training, and humanitarian efforts, with the Standby Force as a cornerstone.
Touray recalled discussions from a June 27, 2024, meeting in Abuja, where ministers prioritized the force to counter both terrorism and unconstitutional changes in government.
“Our goal is to restore peace and stability across the ECOWAS sub-region,” he affirmed.
Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Mohammed Abubakar, underscored the growing threats of terrorism, violent extremism, and transnational crime.
He described the Abuja meeting as a pivotal moment to operationalize the force, stating, “We must align our strategic objectives with sustainable and transparent funding mechanisms.”
Proposed funding options include adjusting the Community Levy, recovering arrears, GDP-based contributions, and exploring blended financing and partnerships.
Sierra Leone’s Deputy Minister of Defence, retired Col. Brima Massaquoi, emphasized the need for innovative financing, such as Public-Private Partnerships and specialized regional security funds. “Effective counter-terrorism demands strong leadership and enhanced regional preparedness,” he said, advocating for investments in training and intelligence infrastructure.
The meeting, reported by the News Agency of Nigeria, reflects ECOWAS’s commitment to decisive action. As Abubakar noted, “This is a mandate to act decisively.
“The people of ECOWAS are counting on us for protection and leadership.”
