Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

ECOWAS Defence Chiefs Call For Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali Return

POSTED ON August 11, 2024 •   Politics      BY Benedicta Bassey
ECOWAS Building/ Photo credit: Nairametrics

The Chiefs of Defence Staff in West Africa have called for the return of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso to the regional bloc.

Recall that the three military-led West African nations announced their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States, accusing the organisation of becoming a threat to its member states.

But addressing the situation, the regional Defence Chiefs stated that their return was crucial to overcoming the insecurity plaguing the region, particularly insurgency.

The Chairman of the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff and the Nigerian Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa spoke while on a courtesy visit to the National Coordinator of the Counter-terrorism Centre, Major General Adamu Laka in Abuja.

Musa noted that efforts were underway to bring back the three countries.

He said, “We feel without security, there can’t be progress. And the threats we are facing, especially on insurgency, are high, and we think it’s very, very important that we need to partner together to achieve success. No country can do it alone, and that’s why it’s important.

“We know we have three countries that have decided to step aside. We are making all efforts to ensure that they come back to the fold because we know even they, on their own, cannot withstand this.

“It is important for us as West Africans to continue to work together. I appreciate the National Coordinator for doing a wonderful job. He just came in in April and there’s so much that has taken place, and that is something we are very proud of.”

Musa, who said the insurgency in the region was spreading wide and fast, urged the Defence Chiefs to brace up to nip the situation in the bud.

He said, “Insurgency is on the increase and spreading very, very wide and very fast. So we must do everything possible to ensure that we nip it in the bud before it gets out of hand. So on behalf of all of us, we are happy to be here.

“We are sure that we’re going to work together to ensure that there is total peace in our region. I had the privilege of being the theatre commander in the Northeast when this horrendous exercise started, and it started like a joke.

In his remarks, Laka said there was a need for cooperation among the West African countries to defeat terrorism.

Laka said,” We hope to partner with our brothers in the West African sub-region and the Sahel. They say if your brother’s house is on fire, it can also reach yours.

“So we need to learn from one another. We don’t plan to make this place the only place. We plan to partner with Abidjan."

READ ALSO
Ongoing Constitutional Review Aims to Empower Nigerians Against Unilateral Changes- Deputy Senate President
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 5, 2025 0

In a significant step towards amending Nigeria's 1999 Constitution, the Deputy Senate President and...

READ ALSO
Aregbesola Urges ADC Supporters to Maintain Civility Amid Political Tensions
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 5, 2025 0

After the formal introduction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Abuja, former Interior Min...

READ ALSO
2027 Election: Aisha Yesufu Urges ADC to Prioritize Youth,Women in Leadership
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 3, 2025 0

Socio-political activist Aisha Yesufu has expressed concerns regarding the makeup of the recently fo...

READ ALSO
We Rendered Oil Smuggling Unattractive, A New Era for Nigeria's Economy - Tinubu
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 3, 2025 0

President Bola Tinubu has proclaimed that his administration has salvaged Nigeria’s economy fr...

READ ALSO
Amaechi Exits APC, Calls for Urgent Restructuring of Nigeria
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 2, 2025 0

A former Minister of Transportation,Rotimi Amaechi,has left the All Progressives Congress (APC).&nbs...

READ ALSO
Lagos Assembly Summons AG over Controversial Local Government Law Commencement
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 1, 2025 0

The Lagos State House of Assembly has called upon the State’s Attorney General, Lawal Pedro (S...

READ ALSO
PDP Bigwigs Urge Nigerians to Join New Coalition Against APC
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 1, 2025 0

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President David Mark, ex-Governor of Jigawa Stat...

READ ALSO
Senate approves new leadership for Law Reform commission
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 1, 2025 0

The Senate has ratified the appointment of Professor Dakas C.J. Dakas as the Chairman of the Nigeria...

OUR CHANNELS:

Nigerian States Accumulate N417.7 Billion in Domestic Debt Amid Rising FAAC Revenue
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 8, 2025 0

At least 10 Nigerian states have cumulatively increased their domestic debt by N417.7 billion from t...


Governor Otti Facilitates Release of Inmates After 26 Years
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 8, 2025 0

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State on Saturday welcomed three Nigerians who were released after spendi...


Tinubu Pledges to Eliminate Bureaucratic Hurdles in Agriculture During Bilateral Talks with Brazil
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 8, 2025 0

President Bola Tinubu expressed his commitment on Saturday to his Brazilian counterpart, Luiz Inacio...


Sowore Condemns Tenure Extensions of Senior Security Officials for Violating 35-Year Service Limit
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 7, 2025 0

Human rights advocate and ex-presidential aspirant, Omoyele Sowore, has criticized the ongoing tenur...


Eight Dead, Eight Injured as Commercial Bus Crashes into Truck
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 8, 2025 0

Just 48 hours after a road accident in Ogun State resulted in the deaths of 10 individuals, another...


Nigerian Investors Launch $5 Billion Cooperative Trust Fund to Empower MSMEs
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 8, 2025 0

A coalition of Nigerian investors has introduced a Cooperative Trust Fund valued at $5 billion, aime...


Nnamdi Kanu's Release Not a Condition for South-East Support of Tinubu- Umahi
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 8, 2025 0

In light of calls for the release of the detained Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the banned Indigenous Peopl...


Real Madrid Edges Borussia Dortmund 3–2 in Thrilling FIFA Club World Cup Clash
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 6, 2025 0

Real Madrid emerged victorious from a heart-stopping 3–2 thriller against Borussia Dortmund in...


NCDC Reports 781 Confirmed Lassa Fever Cases in Nigeria
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 8, 2025 0

Nigeria has reported 145 fatalities attributed to Lassa fever, which corresponds to a case fatality...


Flood: 27 Lives Lost, Hundreds Displaced Amid Ongoing Rescue Efforts in Kerr County
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 6, 2025 0

At least 27 people have been confirmed dead, with many more displaced due to flash flooding in Kerr...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu