The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has activated its Standby Force in a bid to address terrorism and other transborder crimes that threaten the stability of the region.
The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, made this announcement on Tuesday in Abuja during the 43rd ordinary meeting of the ECOWAS Committee Chiefs of Defence Staff. Badaru emphasized that the economic growth of the region is closely linked to stable peace and called for unity among ECOWAS member states to counter all forms of threats facing the region.
In a related development, ECOWAS officially recognized the exit of three of its former members Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger Republic, following the expiration of their one-year notice period on January 29, 2025. Despite their departure, ECOWAS has extended a gesture of regional solidarity by allowing these countries to continue using their national passports bearing the ECOWAS logo until further notice.
The departure of these three Sahelian countries, which have formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), has left a significant rift within ECOWAS, creating uncertainty about the bloc’s future. These countries, under military junta leadership, have criticized ECOWAS’s reliance on France and are now seeking stronger ties with countries like Russia, Turkey, and Iran.
The evolving political landscape in the region underscores the challenges ECOWAS faces as it seeks to address both internal divisions and external security threats.
