ECOWAS Defence Chiefs Brainstorm on Maritime Security in Gulf of Guinea
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Defence Chiefs are convening to brainstorm solutions and strengthen regional maritime security architectures.
The Gulf of Guinea, which has long been a hotspot for maritime insecurity, with piracy, sea robbery, and other illicit activities threatening the safety of maritime trade and the livelihoods of coastal communities.
At the 43rd Ordinary Meeting of the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff, today in Abuja, the Nigeria Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, stressed the importance of addressing maritime insecurity in the region during the opening ceremony of the meeting in Abuja.
“As leaders of our respective armed/defence forces, we are aware that without a secure and conducive environment, economic growth and development will continue to elude our region,” General Musa said.
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He noted that the Gulf of Guinea has become a major hub for maritime activities, but also a hotspot for piracy and other maritime threats.
General Musa stated that “recognizing that today’s threats are not only complex and adaptive, they pervade and in cases traverse countries in the sub-region,” emphasizing the need for collective action to address these challenges.
He commended the foresight of past ECOWAS leaders for setting up the platform to leverage collective action against common threats.
The meeting, which is being attended by defence chiefs from across the ECOWAS region, will also focus on other critical areas, including the review of pledges for the ECOWAS Standby Force and the Counterterrorist Brigade, as well as the rotation of staff officers of peace support operations divisions.
General Musa expressed optimism that the meeting would achieve its objectives, stating that “together, we will build a safer and more prosperous future for our people.
By PRNigeria
