The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has commenced high-level deliberations to finalise a training policy for its proposed 5,000-strong standby force, aimed at addressing growing insecurity and cross-border threats in the region.
The two-day meeting, taking place in Abuja, brought together security experts and technocrats from 12 member states to validate the draft training policy designed to enhance the operational readiness and effectiveness of the regional force.
Speaking at the opening, Dr. Sani Adamu, Acting Director of Peacekeeping and Regional Security, emphasised that the evolving nature of security threats demands a dynamic and inclusive training framework. He said the policy will not only focus on combat readiness, but also on conflict prevention, civilian protection, respect for human rights, and post-conflict rehabilitation.
“This policy is a comprehensive framework that aims to equip our personnel with the skills and coordination necessary to manage and resolve complex conflicts. It is an investment in our collective future,” Dr. Adamu said.
He urged participants to engage fully in the validation process, noting that their contributions would shape strategies that support both immediate crisis response and long-term peacebuilding efforts in West Africa.
Major General Umar Abubakar, Coordinator of Peace Support Operations at Nigeria’s Ministry of Defence, said the training policy is key to the activation and eventual deployment of the ECOWAS Standby Force. He highlighted that the policy covers individual, collective, and education-based training, including military exercises tailored to peace support operations.
Also speaking, Mrs. Yvonne Akpasom, a representative of the German development agency GIZ, noted the significance of a structured training framework in ensuring rapid and effective deployment of the force. She said GIZ, through its Peace, Security, and Governance Project, continues to support ECOWAS in strengthening its peace and security infrastructure, including training, conflict prevention, and democratic governance.
Once operational, the ECOWAS Standby Force is expected to play a critical role in stabilising the region, combating terrorism, and facilitating economic development through sustained peace and security.
