Defense chiefs of West Africa proposed a plan on Thursday in Abuja, Nigeria, to deploy a 5,000-strong “standby force” aimed at tackling the region’s escalating security challenges. The proposal, costing $2.6 billion annually, was presented amidst concerns over funding constraints and internal divisions within the regional bloc.
The initiative, outlined to heads of state, seeks to prevent further military coups that have recently rocked several West African nations, according to Nigeria’s Defense Minister Mohammed Badaru.
Thursday’s meeting marked a significant step as the bloc publicly detailed the financing for its long-discussed standby force. Analysts, however, highlighted potential hurdles such as member states’ financial contributions and securing cooperation from countries most affected by military takeovers.
Omar Alieu Touray, president of the ECOWAS Commission, stressed the urgency of addressing insecurity within the community and called upon member states to endorse the proposed force. The plan is slated for consideration at an upcoming summit of regional heads of state.
Recent military coups in West and Central Africa, which have left four nations under military rule, have deeply divided the 15-member ECOWAS and destabilized the region. Countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, severely impacted by deadly violence, are struggling to contain unrest that is now spreading to coastal nations.
ECOWAS has previously attempted to restore democratic governance in coup-affected states, including imposing economic sanctions that were later lifted. However, the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from ECOWAS membership has complicated regional efforts, opening avenues for external influences like Russian mercenaries.
Touray confirmed that officials from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger were invited to participate in Thursday’s meeting to collaborate on forming the standby force. Their willingness to engage in this initiative remains uncertain.
Ulf Laessing, head of the Sahel program at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, expressed skepticism about ECOWAS’ independent military capabilities, suggesting that effective intervention would likely require foreign assistance.
Kars de Bruijne, a senior research fellow at the Clingendael Institute, echoed concerns about ECOWAS’ historical challenges in implementing ambitious plans, emphasizing the need for unified member state commitment and a strategic approach to address instability in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
“ECOWAS’ ability to deliver on such initiatives has been historically problematic,” he remarked.
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