The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has activated its Standby Force to combat terrorism and other transborder crimes across the region.
Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, disclosed this in Abuja on Tuesday at the 43rd Ordinary Meeting of ECOWAS Committee Chiefs of Defence Staff. He emphasised that economic growth in the region depends on maintaining stable peace and called on ECOWAS members to unite against security threats.
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This move comes as ECOWAS acknowledged the exit of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger Republic from the bloc following the expiration of their one-year withdrawal notice on January 29, 2025. Despite their departure, ECOWAS urged member states to continue recognising the passports of the three countries bearing the bloc’s logo.
The three Sahelian nations, now operating under the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), severed ties with ECOWAS over concerns about the bloc’s perceived dependence on France, opting instead to strengthen alliances with Russia, Turkey, and Iran.
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