At the 67th ECOWAS Heads of State Summit in Abuja, outgoing Chairman President Bola Tinubu urged member nations to immediately activate the ECOWAS Standby Force.
He emphasized that its delay undermines regional efforts to counter terrorism, piracy, and organised crime
Tinubu noted that the logistical depot in Lungi, Sierra Leone built under his stewardship has been completed since April 2024, and operationalizing the force is the next essential step.
He stressed: “No nation can address these challenges alone,” urging collective resolve
Security analysts at the Summit warned that escalating violent extremism in the Sahel and coastal states necessitates an agile regional response. Some leaders advocated for a rapid timeline and firm funding mechanisms to take the Standby Force from concept to action .
Tinubu outlined a vision of a regional counter-terrorism centre for intelligence sharing and training calling it “vital to security infrastructure”
He reiterated that collaborative strategies would strengthen collective border security, rescue efforts, and maritime regulation.
He concluded his address by urging member states to match financial commitments to operational needs.
The Summit backed a coordinated roadmap with clear milestones to bring the Standby Force into full operation by end‑2025.
