Strengthen ECOWAS Standby Force to Tackle Terrorism, Transnational Threats, Naval Chief Urges Subregional Leaders
Linus Aleke in Abuja The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has urged political and military leaders in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to
Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, the Chief of the Naval Staff for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has urged regional leaders to bolster the ECOWAS Standby Force to counter growing transnational threats such as terrorism and organized cross-border crime. The naval chief emphasized that interconnected security challenges across Africa necessitate a united response, as no single nation can effectively address these issues alone.
During a meeting with the Chief of Staff of the ECOWAS Standby Force, Brigadier General Sheikh Sulaiman Massaquoi, Vice Admiral Abbas highlighted the recently launched Combined Maritime Task Force – Gulf of Guinea (CMTF-GoG) and stressed the importance of greater regional maritime cooperation and participation from more African militaries.
He argued that a coordinated regional response, based on shared intelligence, interoperable forces, joint operations, and political commitment, is the most effective means of safeguarding Africa's people, resources, and development goals. Vice Admiral Abbas pointed to Nigeria's increasing contribution to regional security, citing Nigeria's logistical support in moving Chinese-donated ECOWAS equipment to frontline countries like Benin and Sierra Leone.
He also pointed to the Nigerian Navy's strategic sealift of military hardware to Guinea-Bissau in 2022, highlighting the importance of maritime logistics in supporting collective security efforts. The naval chief called for stronger synergy between the ECOWAS Standby Force and the CMTF-GoG, noting that maritime security challenges often span both land and sea, requiring shared capabilities, information, and coordinated responses.
He encouraged more African nations to join the CMTF-GoG, aiming to create a broader regional security framework to tackle transnational maritime threats. Brigadier General Massaquoi, representing the President of the ECOWAS Commission, acknowledged Nigeria's significant contributions to regional security and expressed appreciation for its ongoing support of ECOWAS initiatives. He also stressed the need to enhance the maritime component of the regional security architecture.
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