Terrorism: ECOWAS to deploy Standby Force

Leaders of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, have set up mechanism that would review efforts to activate a standby force for counterterrorism operations, especially in areas infested by terrorist groups.

This followed a resolution at the end of the 64th ordinary session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS, on Sunday in Abuja.

According to a communiqué read by Dr Omar Touray, President of ECOWAS Commission, the leaders reiterated their commitment to the eradication of terrorism and other threats to peace, security and stability in the region.

Beyond this, ECOWAS resolved to hold an extraordinary summit on unconstitutional changes of government, aimed at promoting peace, security and democracy.

They directed the Commission to embark on deep reflection and explore the possibility of convening the extraordinary summit.

To this end, the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, chaired by President Bola Tinubu, established a committee of Heads of State to engage the military junta in Niger Republic, on the need for a short transition roadmap and the emplacement of monitoring mechanisms.

They also resolved to effect a gradual easing of sanctions on Niger Republic based on outcomes of the engagement, emphasizing the need for the immediate and unconditional release of detained President Mohammed Bazoum.

ECOWAS also condemned the continued detention of President Mohammed Bazoum, his family and associates by the military junta.

The Authority decried the lack of commitment on the part of the junta to restore constitutional order.

“We call on the CMSP to release President Mohammed Bazoum, his family, and associates immediately without precondition.

“We resolved to set up a committee of Heads of State made up of the President and Head of State of the Republic of Togo, the President and the Head of State of the Republic of Sierra Leone, the President and Head of State of the Republic of Benin, to engage with the CMSP and other stakeholders with a view to agreeing on a short transition roadmap, establishing transition organs as well as facilitating the setting up of a transition monitoring and evaluation mechanism towards this speedy restoration of constitutional order,” the communique added.