The Honourable Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has urged the Defence Ministers of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) to unite and collaborate decisively towards ensuring a safer and more secure region.
Addressing the ECOWAS Defence and Finance Ministers’ meeting in Abuja, Minister Badaru emphasized the imperative of collective commitment in tackling terrorism, violent extremism, and humanitarian challenges that threaten regional unity and stability.
The meeting aimed to propose actionable measures for funding and equipping ECOWAS counter-terrorism forces, with a specific focus on developing a sustainable financing model to address immediate security threats and foster long-term stability and resilience.
Minister Badaru expressed Nigeria’s deep concern over persistent security challenges in the region, including terrorism, violent extremism, and humanitarian crises. He acknowledged previous efforts, including the directive from ECOWAS Heads of State and Government to operationalize the ECOWAS Standby Force.
He urged his counterparts to refine recommendations and formulate robust solutions to the region’s security issues, stressing the critical need to explore financing options amidst current challenges and financial constraints faced by member states.
“We must unite with determination and a shared vision to achieve a safer and more secure ECOWAS region,” Minister Badaru emphasized, underlining the importance of collective commitment in shaping a sustainable financing model that addresses immediate security threats and lays a foundation for long-term stability and resilience in the region.
