The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is in the final stages of equipping the ECOWAS Standby Force (ESF), a critical initiative aimed at combating terrorism, banditry, violent extremism, and political instability across the West African subregion. As part of this effort, military and government experts have gathered in Abuja to validate the Logistics Depot policies essential to the operational readiness of the ESF.
This meeting precedes the commissioning of the newly completed ECOWAS Logistics Depot in Lungi, Sierra Leone, a strategic facility designed to support peace support operations within the region.
Speaking at the opening session, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, emphasized the urgent need for a fully functional logistics depot in response to the rising threats of terrorism and political instability. Represented by Dr. Sanni Mohammed, Acting Head of Peace Support Operations at ECOWAS, Musah underscored the importance of the depot as a cornerstone of the region’s peacekeeping infrastructure.
“The ECOWAS Commission has invested substantial resources in both the construction and operationalization of this depot, making it a flagship project for our peace support operations. The increasing prevalence of terrorism and violent extremism highlights the necessity of a well-resourced logistics strategy, with a fully operational static depot to facilitate rapid response capabilities,” he stated.
Musah further explained that the protracted development of the depot was not due to reluctance but rather the extensive resource mobilization efforts required to meet both continental and global best practices. He noted that the Lungi facility’s coastal location ensures seamless transportation of equipment via land, air, and sea, enhancing deployment efficiency across the region.
“The ECOWAS Standby Force is fully activated, with ongoing missions in Guinea-Bissau and The Gambia. The next phase involves mobilizing the necessary resources to operationalize the force for counterterrorism efforts. Member states have committed troops, and we are working diligently to ensure the full activation of the ESF in its kinetic form,” he added.
Musah emphasized the importance of internal resource mobilization, cautioning against over-reliance on external funding, which may not be sustainable in the long term.
The meeting also addressed the comprehensive nature of the logistics depot, which will house critical equipment for both peace support operations and combat deployments.
“This facility will serve as a multidimensional depot, housing all essential resources required for addressing internal crises within member states and countering terrorist activities,” Musah explained.
Air Commodore Sampson Eyekosi, Chairman of the Meeting, clarified that the ECOWAS Standby Force does not replace the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) but instead complements regional security efforts.
“Security challenges are interconnected; no entity operates in isolation. The ESF works collaboratively to ensure regional stability,” Eyekosi stated.
Regarding the deployment of personnel, he noted that the size of the force would be dictated by the level of threat, with units from member states placed on alert based on predetermined commitments.
“Peace Support Operations in the ECOWAS region must be guided by well-structured logistics frameworks. As the ECOWAS Logistics Depot nears full operational capability, our focus is on ensuring it becomes a fully functional asset that effectively supports ongoing and future peace missions,” Eyekosi added.
He highlighted the significance of the gathering, describing it as an opportunity for experts in logistics, administration, and security management to contribute to a robust regional security architecture.
“Our region calls us to duty, and we must leverage our collective expertise to develop a logistics strategy that stands the test of time. This meeting is crucial to ensuring that peace support operations in West Africa and across the continent are well-coordinated and effectively resourced,” he concluded.
