The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff has called for the reintegration of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso into the regional bloc, citing the need to combat rising insecurity in the region.
General Christopher Musa, Chairman of the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff and Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, made this appeal during a visit to the National Counter Terrorism Centre in Abuja on Friday.
He emphasized the importance of these countries’ return in addressing the growing insurgency threat.
“Their return is necessary to defeat the increasing insecurity ravaging the region, especially insurgency,” General Musa stated.
The General disclosed ongoing efforts by ECOWAS Defence Chiefs to facilitate the return of the three nations.
He stressed the importance of collective action, saying, “We need all hands to be on deck to curtail insecurity in West Africa.”
Major General Adamu Laka, National Coordinator of the Counter-terrorism Centre, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the crucial role of regional cooperation in combating terrorism.
“Countries in the region must share experiences as one of the ways to combat terrorism,” he added.
The call for reunification comes amid heightened security concerns in the West African region, with terrorism and insurgency posing significant challenges to stability and development.
