How Sahel States’ Withdrawal from ECOWAS Disrupts Regional Security Frameworks –Air Chief
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has expressed concerns over the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), citing increased burdens on the Nigerian military.
The Air Marshall Hassan Abubakar, Chief of the Air Staff, said this withdrawal disrupts existing security frameworks in the region, affecting the Multinational Joint Task Force’s (MNJTF) capacity to conduct joint operations.
Despite the MNJTF plays a crucial role in countering Boko Haram and ISWAP across Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon. He said the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) member states opting out and Chad considering withdrawal, the NAF must adapt to mitigate these evolving threats.
“With AES member states opting out and Chad considering withdrawal, the MNJTF’s capacity to conduct joint operations is now significantly affected.
“As a result, the burden on the Armed Forces of Nigeria to support the MNJTF will increase, demanding a more robust, agile, and adaptive response from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).
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“Strengthening operational readiness, enhancing inter-agency coordination, and leveraging advanced air power will be critical in mitigating these evolving threats as we progress through 2025,” he said.
The NAF Chief said that the Sahel region had continued to be a hotspot for terrorism and insurgency, with Al-Qaeda-affiliated extremist groups exploiting weak governance structures to expand their influence.
Abubakar added that the porous borders in the Lake Chad Basin, had also allowed the extremist elements to sustain their activities, posing a persistent threat to regional stability.
He said the Gulf of Guinea also remained vulnerable to maritime crimes, including piracy and illegal oil bunkering, necessitating sustained aerial surveillance and stronger regional cooperation to bolster maritime security.
Addressing these challenges, according to him, requires a unified approach, emphasising coordinated air operations, intelligence sharing, and strategic partnerships.
He said the meeting would provide a valuable opportunity for them to review the security landscape of Nigeria in 2024, critically assess their operational successes and challenges, and project actionable strategies for the NAF operations in 2025.
“As the senior leadership of the Nigerian Air Force, we shoulder the vital responsibility of ensuring the effective deployment of air power in support of national security objectives,” he added.
