By Mark Longyen

Nigeria has emphasised the urgent need to transform the ECOWAS Standby Force (ESF) into an operational mechanism for regional peace and stability.

Maj-Gen. Umar Abubakar, Director, Peacekeeping and Regional Security, Ministry of Defence, stated this on Wednesday in Abuja at a Governmental Experts’ Validation Meeting on the ESF Training Policy for Peace Support Operations.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting brought together technical experts and strategic partners to finalise and validate the ESF’s training policy on peace support operations.

“This is a pivotal moment for ECOWAS. The policy we are validating today will transform our Standby Force from concept to reality.

“It will ensure we are prepared to respond swiftly and effectively to conflicts across the region and also serve as a standby brigade of the African Standby Force.

“Let us work together to finalise a policy that reflects both our regional realities and our ambition for peace,” Abubakar said.

Dr Sani Adamu, ECOWAS Acting Head, Peace Support Operations Division, in a keynote address, highlighted the vision behind the policy and its relevance in the contemporary operational context.

Adamu said that the policy was not just a document but a framework that would integrate human rights observance, gender, civilian protection, and post-conflict recovery.

According to him, it lays the foundation for a responsive and professional force that can meet the complexity of today’s peace support operations.

“Today, as we focus our attention on the development and implementation of the ECOWAS Standby Force training policy, we recognize the significance of this initiative in addressing the complex, dynamic challenges of Peacekeeping in West Africa.

“This policy is not only a guide but a comprehensive framework designed to enhance the skills, coordination, and readiness of the standby force, and ensure they are trained adequately to manage and resolve conflicts,” he said.

As we refine the operational readiness and effectiveness of the EST, we must recognise that true security is not only about arms and strategy, but it is also about leveraging our collective strengths and resources to foster a sustainable peace and security.”

Also speaking, Mrs Yvonne Akpasom, representing GIZ under the ECOWAS Peace, Security and Governance (EPSG) Project, reaffirmed the role of technical partners in supporting regional transformation.

“GIZ is proud to support ECOWAS in developing a training policy that is comprehensive, operational, and aligned with global standards.

“Your contribution to designing and validating this framework underscores our joint resolve to build a Standby Force that is capable, credible, and cohesive,” she said.

NAN also reports that the revised policy aligns with the African Standby Force framework and incorporates key themes such as inclusivity, gender mainstreaming, accountability, and standardisation.

The initiative is supported by the ECOWAS Peace, Security and Governance (EPSG) Project, co-financed by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and implemented by GIZ.

With additional funding from Expertise France and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), the initiative also directly aligns with ECOWAS Vision 2050, which seeks to build a fully integrated, peaceful, and prosperous West Africa.

ECOWAS seeks to reinforce preventive diplomacy, regional solidarity, and rapid response to crises by institutionalising a unified ESF training to enhance regional operational effectiveness, stability, resilience, and security. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Emmanuel Yashim