President Bola Tinubu has unveiled plans to strengthen the ECOWAS Standby Force to deter coups and combat terrorism in the sub-region.
Tinubu spoke in Nairobi, Kenya, at the Fifth Mid-Year Coordination Meeting (5thMYCM) of the African Union (AU), the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), the Regional Mechanisms (RMs), and the African Union Member-States.
According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communication and Strategy, Dele Alake, the President reaffirmed Africa’s unity and strength and resolved to maintain engagement with juntas in Mali and Burkina Faso, to assiduously work towards the implementation of the 24-month transition calendars agreed with ECOWAS.
He added that ECOWAS had also resolved to raise our own funding internally to finance the peace support operations in the region.
He said, “We cannot integrate Africa and attain the prosperity we seek while our nearby brothers and sisters suffer in pain and anguish, they should not suffer.
”We must advance as one continent toward peace and prosperity.
”Otherwise, we risk the creation of two or more Africa, one a select group of nations moving steadily while the rest remain trapped in the age-old mire of poverty, conflict and lack of hope.
”It is very clear that in the area of peace, security, and stability, our region is confronted with the twin challenges of terrorism and reversal of democratic gains through undemocratic changes of Government.
”To address these challenges, the ECOWAS Authority, which I have the honour to chair, has given directive regarding the enhancement of the role of the ECOWAS Standby Force for deployment to fight terrorism and undemocratic changes in government.
”The Authority has also resolved to raise our own funding internally to finance the peace support operations in our community. Meanwhile, we have continued to monitor the transition programmes in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea, ” he said.
