News Agency of Nigeria
Beyond Borders: Nigeria calls for ECOWAS health pact against Lassa Fever
Features

Beyond Borders: Nigeria calls for ECOWAS health pact against Lassa Fever

By Abujah Racheal

Nigeria’s Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has called for a stronger ECOWAS health pact to address Lassa fever and other emerging infectious diseases threatening the region.

Dr Jide Idris, Director-General of the NCDC, made the call on Thursday in Abidjan at a high-level panel on community involvement during the 2nd Lassa Fever International Conference, convened by the West African Health Organisation (WAHO).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference has the theme “Beyond Borders: Strengthening Regional Cooperation to Combat Lassa Fever and Emerging Infectious Diseases”.

The conference seeks to reaffirm regional commitment, mobilise political will, and drive collective action against viral haemorrhagic fevers (VHFs).

Idris said that cross-border surveillance and coordinated response mechanisms were essential to tackle Lassa fever, which is endemic in several West African countries.

“Viruses do not respect borders. Our surveillance and our responses must therefore also transcend borders.

“We need an ECOWAS health pact that guarantees data sharing, joint preparedness, and pooled resources to fight these threats,” he said.

He emphasised that community engagement remained the backbone of epidemic preparedness, adding that outbreaks often escalate into crises not because of the pathogen alone, but due to human factors such as trust, culture, and behaviour.

He highlighted lessons from Nigeria’s experience with Ebola, COVID-19, and Lassa fever outbreaks, stressing that communities were not the “last mile” but the first line of defence in epidemic response.

According to him, early detection, risk communication, and culturally sensitive interventions are critical to reducing mortality and preventing large-scale transmission.

He also urged member states to support research and development for vaccines and diagnostics, invest in One Health approaches linking human, animal and environmental health, and provide dedicated funding for community-led preparedness initiatives.

NAN recalls that WAHO said the Abidjan gathering would provide a platform for health ministers, scientists, and development partners to chart new strategies to address Lassa fever, which continues to cause thousands of deaths across the region annually.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

ECOWAS must match words with action to defeat Lassa Fever – Tomori
Health

ECOWAS must match words with action to defeat Lassa Fever – Tomori

ECOWAS

By Racheal Abujah

A renowned virologist, Prof. Oyewale Tomori, has called on West African governments to take concrete steps to defeat Lassa fever, a viral haemorrhagic disease that continues to ravage the region.

Tomori, a former President of the Nigerian Academy of Science, made the call in his keynote address at the 2nd International Lassa Fever Conference on Monday in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

According to him, although progress has been made since the first conference in 2019, many of the challenges identified then still persist.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the conference is “Beyond Borders: Strengthening Regional Cooperation to Combat Lassa Fever and Emerging Infectious Diseases”.

It seeks to reaffirm regional commitment, mobilise political will, and drive collective action against Lassa fever and other emerging infectious diseases.

Tomori said that Lassa fever still recorded an estimated 100,000 to 300,000 cases annually, with about 5,000 deaths, mostly in West Africa, despite decades of research and intervention efforts.

“ECOWAS must match words with action. Without genuine political will and government ownership, we will continue to recycle the same promises and hold meetings without meaningful action,” he said.

Highlighting the achievements since 2019, he cited the establishment of five major laboratories capable of testing epidemic-prone diseases and conducting genomic sequencing.

The virologist also cited the expansion of field epidemiology training programmes and the deployment of community-level surveillance platforms across ministries.

He,however, complained that several gaps remained, including the absence of a licensed vaccine, uneven access to diagnostics, donor-dependent funding, weak cross-border coordination, and persistent stigma that delays patients from seeking care.

He urged ECOWAS member states to invest more resources, strengthen regional surveillance systems and accelerate vaccine research and community-led interventions.

“The 2025 conference is a wake-up call for us to take bold and coordinated steps.

“We cannot continue to rely on donors while our people remain at risk of repeated outbreaks,” he said.

NAN reports that the four-day meeting is convened by the West African Health Organisation (WAHO) in collaboration with Nigeria’s Ministry of Health and Côte d’Ivoire’s Ministry of Health.

It brings together scientists, policymakers, and development partners to review progress and chart the way forward in the fight against Lassa fever. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman

ECOWAS, WAHO strengthen regional fight against lassa fever, epidemics
Features

ECOWAS, WAHO strengthen regional fight against lassa fever, epidemics

News Analysis By Ismail Abdulaziz, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, is this week hosting a gathering that could shape the future of West Africa’s health security.

The 2025 ECOWAS Lassa Fever International Conference (ELFIC) brings together scientists, policymakers, donors, and community leaders in a united front against epidemics that continue to strain the region’s fragile health systems.

The four-day forum is designed to strengthen vaccine acceptance and promote innovations in prevention and control.

Organised by the West African Health Organisation (WAHO), a specialised agency of ECOWAS, and its partners, the event is holding under the theme: “Beyond Borders: Strengthening Regional Cooperation to Combat Lassa and Emerging Infectious Diseases”.

At its core, the Abidjan conference aims to deepen cross-border preparedness, reinforce collaboration, and mobilise sustainable political commitment and financing to protect West Africa from present and future outbreaks.

This second edition follows the maiden ELFIC in Abuja, Nigeria, in 2019, which set the tone for regional cooperation against Lassa fever.

Since then, West Africa has endured hard lessons from Ebola, COVID-19, and Mpox.

Each of these crises underscored a simple truth: “No country can fight an epidemic alone”.

WAHO explained in its conference notes that, “early detection saves lives, and delays in access to vaccines and treatments cost communities dearly.

“Yet Lassa fever remains a persistent threat, causing seasonal outbreaks with limited tools for prevention and care.

“This conference matters because it turns those lessons into action; strengthening regional collaboration, advancing medical countermeasures, and ensuring West Africa is better prepared for future epidemics”.

Lassa fever, an acute viral haemorrhagic illness first identified in Nigeria in 1969, has become endemic in West Africa.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates between 100,000 and 300,000 infections annually, with about 5,000 deaths.

Nigeria alone has reported over 8,000 confirmed cases and more than 1,500 deaths between 2018 and 2024, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).

Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea also continue to face recurring outbreaks, while Ghana recorded its first-ever confirmed cases in 2022, signalling the virus’s potential spread beyond traditional hotspots.

Benin, Togo, and Mali have likewise documented sporadic outbreaks, often linked to porous borders and regional trade.

Imported cases in the United Kingdom and Germany further highlight the global implications of the disease.

The zoonotic nature of Lassa fever- spread through contact with infected multimammate rats and through human-to-human transmission in healthcare settings, makes it difficult to control without robust surveillance and rapid response systems.

Although promising vaccine candidates are now in late-stage trials, vaccine acceptance remains a critical obstacle.

WHO stresses that vaccines are among the most effective tools to protect communities, yet hesitancy persists across Africa.

Conference panellists identified mistrust, inadequate infrastructure, and misinformation; especially spread on social media, as major barriers.

They argued that vaccination campaigns often fail to adequately engage communities, leaving people suspicious of health workers who arrive during emergencies.

“During times of vaccinations, proper enlightenment is not carried out on the target population to foster significance and necessity for usage,” one panellist observed.

“This makes it easy for citizens to see the programme as a conspiracy”.

Historical incidents, such as resistance linked to the Pfizer meningitis trial in Kano State, Nigeria, continue to cast long shadows.

The absence of functional healthcare facilities in many endemic communities deepens suspicion, as residents question why interventions arrive sporadically rather than as part of sustained health services.

To address these challenges, experts at the conference proposed stronger collaborations with religious and community leaders, social media influencers, and youth ambassadors.

They stressed the importance of deploying knowledgeable health workers who can build trust and demonstrate respect for local contexts.

Speakers emphasised that West Africa cannot afford to repeat past mistakes.

Ebola, which killed more than 11,000 people in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone between 2014 and 2016, exposed fragile health systems and the dangers of delayed response.

COVID-19, while global in scale, also highlighted stark inequities in vaccine access, with African countries receiving supplies months later than richer nations.

Dr Melchior Athanase J. C. Aïssi, Director General of WAHO, warned: “This conference is a call to action to confront the persistent challenges associated with Lassa fever by advancing research, diagnostics, and community-led solutions, while enhancing preparedness and response strategies against zoonotic diseases”.

Similarly, the Mpox outbreak in 2022–23 reminded the region that emerging infectious diseases do not respect borders.

Cross-border collaboration, therefore, is not an option but a necessity.

For many participants, the Abidjan conference is more than another meeting.

They described ELFIC 2025 as a “critical step forward, from raising awareness to driving concrete commitments, partnerships, and innovations that will safeguard West Africa against current and future epidemic threats”.

The discussions have gone beyond technical research to focus on political will and sustainable financing.

Organisers hope to secure commitments from member states to invest more in diagnostics, vaccines, and community-led preparedness systems.

Crucially, they want to ensure that the gains from ELFIC are translated into real change at national and community levels.

Experts agree that Lassa fever’s persistence is not merely a medical challenge but also a test of governance, equity, and resilience.

With fragile health systems and limited fiscal space, West African countries often struggle to maintain surveillance and invest in research.

That is why WAHO and ECOWAS are pushing for stronger political commitment and long-term financing models.

Six years after the Abuja conference, the stakes are higher.

The world has changed, reshaped by global health crises that exposed vulnerabilities and tested systems.

In Abidjan, West Africa is signalling its determination not to be caught unprepared again.

What began as a scientific discussion in 2019 has now evolved into a broader movement; linking science, policy, and community action under a shared vision of resilience.

For WAHO and its partners, the task ahead is clear: turn lessons into action, embrace medical innovations, and above all, build trust between governments and the people they serve. (NAN)

ECOWAS Lassa fever conference opens in Abidjan
Foreign

ECOWAS Lassa fever conference opens in Abidjan

By Rachael Abuja/Ismail Abdulaziz

The Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS) Lassa Fever International Conference began Monday in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

The four-day conference is organised by the West Africa Health Organisation (WAHO).

The theme of the conference is “Beyond borders: Strengthening Regional Cooperation to combat Lassa Fever and Emerging Infectious Diseases”.

Building on the first Lassa International Conference held in Abuja in 2019, this second edition will feature plenary sessions, panels, workshops, and research presentations.

It will also contribute to a regional roadmap focused on improving access to diagnostics, vaccines, and coordinated disease control efforts.

The LIC 2025 seeks to drive multi-sectoral collaboration and promote long-term solutions for Lassa fever and broader health security challenges.

The conference brings together regional and global stakeholders to advance research, enhance preparedness, and strengthen outbreak response across West Africa.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the first conference held in Abuja in 2019, marked fifty years since the Lassa fever virus was first isolated, in a town in Nigeria.

The opportunity created by the ‘anniversary’ of the discovery of the virus, is being used to bring researchers and practitioners from across the world together, to share and appraise global efforts towards the control of the Lassa fever virus disease.

Participants at that conference, underscored the importance of integrating human, animal, and environmental health perspectives for a comprehensive strategy to combat Lassa fever, which stems from the interconnectedness of these factors.
There were strong calls to action for increased research into all aspects of Lassa fever, including new diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines, with the aim of improving prevention, response, and control activities.
Participants also called on the need for enhances surveillance systems and laboratory capacity for timely and accurate Lassa fever diagnosis., among others.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Sadiya Hamza
ECOWAS Court protocol validation to boost justice delivery — President
Foreign

ECOWAS Court protocol validation to boost justice delivery — President

By Mark Longyen

President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, Ricardo Gonçalves, has said that validating the court’s Harmonised Protocol will reinforce its ability to effectively discharge its regional justice delivery mandate.

Gonçalves made this known at a meeting of ECOWAS ministers of justice in Banjul, The Gambian capital, on Saturday, aimed at validating two critical instruments of the Community Court.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the two instruments slated for validation by the ministers are the Harmonised Protocol and Arbitration Rules of the Community Court.

The court’s president said that the adoption of the instruments would ensure alignment with the Revised ECOWAS Treaty and decisions of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government.

According to him, adopting the protocol will strengthen the credibility of the court’s legal order, shape its future, and safeguard the principles of justice, equity, and human rights, which underpin ECOWAS’ integration project.

“The Harmonised Protocol reflects lessons learned over more than two decades of judicial practice and ensures alignment with the Revised ECOWAS Treaty and decisions of the Authority of Heads of State and Government.

“The Protocol will reinforce the court’s ability to discharge its mandate effectively, while safeguarding the principles of justice, equity, and human rights that underpin the ECOWAS integration project,” he said.

Also speaking, The Gambia’s President, Adama Barrow, represented by Vice President Muhammed Jallow, described the meeting as a “historic milestone” in consolidating the ECOWAS Court’s mandate.

He noted that the new Arbitration Rules will enable the ECOWAS Court to provide a credible regional mechanism for resolving commercial disputes.

The president said that it would further strengthen investor confidence and support the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Chairman, ECOWAS Ministers of Justice and Sierra Leone’s Minister of Justice, Alpha Sesay, described the Court as “a beacon of justice and a symbol of collective commitment to regional integration and Rule of Law.”

“Our work here will have significant impact on the role that the court continues to play in the sub-region and will strengthen access to justice for our citizens.

“Through this, we honour our duty to the protection of human rights, promotion of regional integration, and the resolution of disputes through arbitration,” Sesay said.

Dawda Jallow, The Gambia’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice, in a keynote address, underlined the importance of equipping ECOWAS with arbitration tools comparable to international standards.

According to him, the ECOWAS Court has the potential to become a continental hub for arbitration, hence the need to empower it to address regional human rights and economic disputes.

ECOWAS Resident Representative to The Gambia, Mrs Miatta French, lauded the court’s management for the initiative toward ensuring that the court’s work was made less cumbersome, and enhancing its effectiveness.

NAN reports that the Harmonised Protocol aims to integrate years of fragmented amendments into a single comprehensive text that defines the Court’s composition, jurisdiction, procedures, and enforcement mechanisms.

The consolidation also aims to eliminate inconsistencies, streamline judicial processes, provide better clarity and greater legal certainty to Member States and citizens.

The meeting, which was convened by the ECOWAS Commission and hosted by The Gambian Government, follows an experts meeting for the review of the court’s Draft Harmonised Protocol and Arbitration Rules.

Once validated by the ministers, the document will be submitted to the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government for adoption.(NAN)

Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

ECOWAS standby force requires .6bn for takeoff — Touray
Foreign

ECOWAS standby force requires $2.6bn for takeoff — Touray

By Mark Longyen

President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Touray, has said that the regional bloc requires approximately 2.61 billion dollars to operationalise its proposed 5,000-strong ECOWAS Standby Force (ESF).

Touray disclosed this during a joint meeting of ECOWAS Ministers of Finance and Defence on Friday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting aimed to finalise the modalities for mobilising funds to activate the regional anti-terrorism force.

The president noted that terrorism in any form remained a significant threat to regional integration, prompting ECOWAS leaders to prioritise the creation of a military response force.

“The emergence of terrorist group activities within and around West Africa has become a matter of serious concern to governments and citizens of the region,” Touray said.

He warned that such activities threatened international trade and investment, disrupted regional commerce, and restricted the free movement of people, goods, and services across West African borders.

Citing the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2025 report, Touray said Africa has now become the global epicentre of terrorism, displacing the Middle East as the most affected region.

He explained that the Sahel region, in particular, has seen a surge in terrorist operations, driven by political instability, weak governance, and prolonged conflicts.

“In response, ECOWAS has taken a multi-dimensional approach to counter-terrorism, including the development of a comprehensive strategy, establishment of a Standby Force, and regional collaboration on intelligence, training, and humanitarian interventions,” he said.

Touray recalled that at a previous meeting held on June 27, 2024, in Abuja, the ministers had deliberated extensively on activating the standby force to combat both terrorism and unconstitutional changes of government in the region.

He described the creation of the 5,000-man force as a top priority, with the goal of restoring peace and stability wherever they was a threat in the ECOWAS sub-region.

Also speaking, Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Mohammed Abubakar, emphasised that the region was facing growing threats including terrorism, violent extremism, transnational crime, and unconstitutional power grabs.

He said the Abuja meeting marked a critical step toward operationalising a regional counter-terrorism force that reflected a collective resolve to defend sovereignty, uphold constitutional order, and protect citizens.

“As we advance with these proposals, it is important to align our strategic objectives with predictable, sustainable, and transparent funding mechanisms,” Abubakar noted.

He listed potential funding options such as adjustments to the Community Levy, recovery of levy arrears, GDP-based contributions, direct budget allocations, blended financing, and targeted partnerships.

“This moment must be viewed not just as another meeting, but as a mandate to act decisively.

“The people of ECOWAS are counting on us, not only for protection but for leadership,” he added.

Sierra Leone’s Deputy Minister of Defence, retired Col. Brima Massaquoi, highlighted ECOWAS’s broader role in economic integration, conflict resolution, governance, and human rights.

In spite of progress, he said, the region still faced significant challenges, including political instability, recurring conflicts, transnational crimes, humanitarian crises, and terrorism.

Massaquoi stressed that effective counter-terrorism required strong leadership, coordination, and capacity-building to strengthen regional preparedness and response capabilities.

He urged the bloc to adopt inclusive and innovative financing models, including contributions from member states, partnerships with regional financial institutions, and the establishment of specialised regional security funds.

“We must also explore Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and invest in training, intelligence infrastructure, and coordination centres to maximise the impact of available resources,” Massaquoi added. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

ECOWAS to raise 260,000 rapid deployment counter-terrorism force – President
Defence/Security

ECOWAS to raise 260,000 rapid deployment counter-terrorism force – President

Deployment

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has announced plans to activate a 260,000-strong rapid deployment counter-terrorism brigade to strengthen the fight against terrorism in the subregion.

President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Touray, made this known at the inaugural African Chiefs of Defence Staff Summit in Abuja.

He was represented by Amb. Abdel-Fattah Musah, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, ECOWAS Commission.

Touray said the force would provide logistics and financial support to frontline states, adding that Ministers of Finance and Defence from member countries would meet in Abuja on Friday to finalise modalities for an annual 2.5 billion dollar budget.

“This bold initiative has become necessary given the asymmetric security dynamics in our region.

“We are conscious of the fact that this requires the necessary financial resources and capabilities to make it a reality.

“ECOWAS is therefore throwing the gauntlet to bilateral and multilateral partners to complement this daring regional effort,” he said.

The ECOWAS leader explained that the force would complement the African Union’s standby force framework under the African Peace and Security Architecture.

He stressed that the Sahel region had become the epicentre of global terrorism, accounting for 51 per cent of terrorism deaths worldwide in 2024.

According to him, local communities, women and children in particular, have borne the brunt of state retreats and coercive protection of jihadi forces.

“The war economy from illegal mining and illicit taxation is also worsening insecurity,” he added.

Touray urged the AU and the UN to support regional counter-terrorism operations, reminding participants of the UN Security Council Resolution 2719 of December 2023 which pledged to fund 75 per cent of African-led peace support operations. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Yakubu Uba
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ECOWAS Chairman solicits support to combat terrorism, enhance democracy
Foreign

ECOWAS Chairman solicits support to combat terrorism, enhance democracy

By Mark Longyen

Chairman ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, Sierra Leone’s President Julius Bio, has solicited deeper collaboration with fellow leaders to combat terrorism, enhance democratic governance, and invigorate intra-regional trade.

He also urged member states’ leaders to forge a stronger partnership between ECOWAS and Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, who recently exited ECOWAS and formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).

A statement from the State House, Freetown, Sierra Leone, on Saturday said Bio made the appeal in the course of his high-level visits to Guinea-Bissau, The Gambia, Cape Verde and Senegal.

He was speaking during audience with presidents Umaro Embaló of Guinea-Bissau; Adama Barrow of The Gambia; Bassirou Faye of Senegal; and Cape Verde Prime Minister José Neves.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the visits by Bio, who was recently elected as ECOWAS Chairman, aimed at strengthening subregional collaboration toward addressing the bloc’s critical challenges.

“He stressed the necessity of collective action to overcome challenges that impeded economic integration and undermine peace and security in the subregion.

“The President also highlighted the urgency of bolstering cooperation with all ECOWAS members states, including those in political transition.

“These high-level engagements demonstrate the significance of cohesive leadership in overcoming the challenges facing the ECOWAS community,” the statement said.

Throughout the visits, Bio is said to have expressed his gratitude for the honour done him by his West African counterparts to serve as Chairman during the bloc’s most critical moment.

Bio’s hosts were said to have acknowledged the robust bilateral ties existing between their countries and Sierra Leone, and congratulated him on his election as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority.

The statement further quoted them as reaffirming their commitment to working with Bio to enable him to successfully accomplish his mandate.

It further said that Bio was poised to draw on the experience and insights of previous chairpersons of the ECOWAS Authority to drive meaningful progress.

NAN also reports that the ECOWAS Chairman’s trip follows similar high-level visits to Togo, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

ECOWAS Court delivers 634 judgments, rulings in 24-year span
Foreign

ECOWAS Court delivers 634 judgments, rulings in 24-year span

By Mark Longyen

The ECOWAS Court of Justice says it has delivered a total of 487 judgments and 147 rulings out of 748 cases filed before it since its inception in 2001.

The Community Court disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja while giving an official update highlighting its 24-year judicial statistics and continued commitment to regional justice, human rights, and the rule of law.

According to the court, the figures underscore its pivotal role as the principal judicial organ for legal redress and human rights protection in the region.

While reinforcing its commitment to regional justice dispensation, the court emphasised that its judgments have had a profound impact across the West African subregion.

“At the end of July, 2025, the Court had delivered a total of 487 judgments and 147 rulings out of 748 cases filed before it since inception in 2001.

“Over the 24-year period, it has held 1,633 court sessions, considered 61 applications for revision of judgment, issued 66 orders, delivered 43 decisions on revisions of judgments, and rendered 8 advisory opinions.

“These figures underscore the Court’s pivotal role as the principal judicial organ for legal redress and human rights protection in the region,” it said in a statement.

The court noted that this year alone from January to July, it registered 34 new cases, delivered 42 judgments, and rendered three rulings across 79 court sessions.

It added that during this period, the court issued four orders and delivered one decision on an application for revision of judgment, while 112 cases were still pending before it.

The court further said that it received no requests for advisory opinions or applications although it continued to receive and register new cases within the said period.

It stressed that within the period under review, the court enriched regional jurisprudence and contributed to ensuring a just and more democratic West Africa.

“By holding member states accountable and providing redress for individuals and communities, the court has contributed to ensuring a more just and democratic region.

“Its jurisprudence has influenced national legal reforms, promoted institutional accountability, and empowered civil society actors to seek judicial redress.

“Under the leadership of Honourable President Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves, the Court continues to exemplify the values of equity, fairness and justice for all across member states,” it added.

The Community Court also announced the start of its annual judicial recess, noting that full judicial activities would resume in September.(NAN)

Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa

Effective standby force crucial for sub-regional peace, security, devt – ECOWAS
Foreign

Effective standby force crucial for sub-regional peace, security, devt – ECOWAS

By Mark Longyen

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) says having a sub-regional Standby Force (ESF) that can be swiftly deployed to quell conflicts is critical to ensuring peace, security, and development.

Amb. Abdel-Fatah Musah, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, stated this on Wednesday in Abuja at a meeting of the ESF’s police/gendarmerie focal point for peace support operations.

Musah described ESF as a multidimensional force and vital mechanism for regional peace and security architecture designed to swiftly respond to regional conflicts, and an African Standby Force brigade.

He noted that the rapidly changing nature of threats and conflicts has not only made a dynamic and adaptive approach to policing a necessity, but it has underscored the need for combat readiness, cooperation, collaboration, and coordination.

The Commissioner, represented by Dr Sani Adamu, ECOWAS Director of Peacekeeping and Regional Security, therefore, urged participants to leverage their collective strengths and resources to foster a sustainable environment of peace.

“An effective ECOWAS Standby Force supports not just immediate crisis response but also long-term peacebuilding initiatives, creating conditions necessary for economic development and social progress across our region.

“As we refine the operational readiness and effectiveness of the ESF, we must recognise that true security is not only about arms and strategy.

“It is also about leveraging our collective strengths and resources to foster a sustainable environment of peace,” he said.

According to him, the ESF is an investment in a future where the children of community citizens can grow up in a world free from the fear of conflict.

ECOWAS, he said, was a testament to the importance of regional partnerships, bringing together nations under a shared vision of peace and security.

“I therefore urge each of you to actively participate, share your perspectives, and help refine our policing strategy to ensure it meets the highest standards we set for ourselves.

“Our commitments today will pave the way for actionable strategies and tangible outcomes in the field,” he added.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was attended by participants from the African Union, ECOWAS, and security officials from its training centres of excellence and institutions. (NAN)

Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

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