By Nkechi Eze
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, has urged member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to set aside political differences, divergent interests and bilateral disagreements to jointly confront security threats facing the sub-region.
Oluyede stressed that stronger unity, military cooperation and a shared commitment to regional security were essential to tackling terrorism, violent extremism, transnational organised crime and maritime insecurity across West Africa.
He made the call when the outgoing and incoming Chairmen of the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff (CCDS), Lieutenant General Amara Idara Bangura of Sierra Leone and Vice Admiral Oumar Wade of Senegal, respectively, paid him a courtesy visit at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja.
According to an official statement signed by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, the CDS described the visit as a demonstration of solidarity and shared purpose among the military leadership of ECOWAS member states.
He maintained that security was indivisible, noting that no country could effectively secure itself in isolation from its neighbours.
Oluyede reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional peace, integration and development, assuring the incoming chairman of the country’s continued support for ECOWAS security initiatives and collective defence efforts.
Earlier, the outgoing chairman, Lieutenant General Bangura, who is the Chief of Defence Staff of Sierra Leone, expressed appreciation to Nigeria for its sustained support for the ECOWAS defence committee and the sub-regional security architecture throughout his tenure.
Bangura, who disclosed that the leadership handover process had been underway for two days, commended Nigeria’s longstanding contributions to security and stability across West Africa.
He recalled Nigeria’s support for Sierra Leone during its civil war and subsequent peace consolidation efforts, as well as its contributions to regional peacekeeping, counterterrorism cooperation and logistical support.
The outgoing chairman appealed to Oluyede to extend similar cooperation to his successor to sustain the progress made in strengthening regional security.
In his remarks, the incoming chairman, Vice Admiral Wade, who is the current Chief of Defence Staff of Senegal, identified terrorism, violent extremism, transnational organised crime and maritime insecurity as major challenges confronting ECOWAS member states.
Wade acknowledged Nigeria’s position as a regional leader and anchor state in West Africa, seeking its continued support, guidance and active participation to enable the committee to effectively discharge its mandate.
He also thanked the Nigerian military leadership for the reception and hospitality accorded the visiting delegation.
Oluyede subsequently assured Wade of his full support during his tenure, expressing confidence that stronger cooperation among member states would further reinforce the ECOWAS collective security mechanism.
The engagement underscores the importance of regional solidarity and coordinated military action in addressing cross-border threats and promoting lasting peace and stability across West Africa.
