Nigeria Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, has reassured of the readiness and determination of the military to ensure that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) region is fully secured.
Musa, who is the Chairman, Committee of Chiefs of Defence of ECOWAS, gave the assurance at the closing of the 43rd Ordinary Meeting of the committee, on Thursday in Abuja.
He said the 3-Day meeting had been geared towards promoting regional security cooperation within the ECOWAS region and forging common fronts in addressing their security challenges.
According to him, deliberations have been sincere and forthright with our collective security being accorded the desired priority.
“In the course of our deliberations, we identified critical vulnerabilities to regional security and demonstrated our firm resolve towards addressing these threats.
“As expected, there were areas of concern between members but more importantly there was firm resolve on the need for collective action.
“This is the spirit of this gathering which is firmly rooted in a resolute commitment to meeting our primary obligation as members of the armed and defence forces of our respective countries which is to defend and protect our peoples from harm and insecurities,” he said.
Musa said the committee deliberated over critical security concerns in the West African Sub Region.
Some of these areas, according to him, include the review of pledges for ECOWAS Standby Force, consideration of pledges for ECOWAS Counter-terrorist Brigade and the rotation of Staff Officers of Peace Support Operation Divisions and ECOWAS Standby Force.
Others, he added were the presentation on the outcome of the Governmental Experts Meeting on the ECOWAS Logistics Concept and Standing Operating Procedures for ECOWAS Logistics Depot in Lungi, Sierra Leone.
Musa said the meeting also provided an opportunity to review the report of the last ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Naval Staff Meeting.
According to him, a presentation was made on Standardization of the Table of Equipment for ECOWAS Standby Force.
“I am therefore confident that the outcome and recommendations from our discussions and deliberations will address the issues and challenges facing our region.
“Our deliberations have been fruitful, productive and would definitely lead to concrete actions that will further strengthen our collective efforts towards achieving a more secure and prosperous Community.
“The task ahead of us is daunting but with our collective resolve, we shall overcome,” he added.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was attended by the Chiefs of Defence Staff from Benin Republic, Cape Verde, Côte D’Ivoire, The Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Senegal and Togo.