ECOWAS plans to create peacekeeping force to counter terrorism and coups

NAIROBI, Kenya - The Economic Commission for the West African States (ECOWAS) leaders plan to establish a regional peacekeeping force to intervene in any member state to help restore security and constitutional order in times of coups and terrorism.

This was revealed in an annual summit meeting that took place in Abuja-Nigeria over the weekend.

As per the communique “The leaders of ECOWAS have decided to recalibrate our security architecture to ensure that we take care of our own security in the region.

The leaders are determined to establish a regional force that will intervene in the event of need, whether this is in the area of security, terrorism (or to) restore constitutional order in member countries.”

The West Africa trade bloc wants to do more to boost constitutional government in its member states.

However, ECOWAS did not give any details of how the force would be constituted but said defense chiefs would meet next month to work out how it would operate.

West African leaders also expressed concern over the continued detention of 46 Ivorian soldiers in Mali. They asked Malian authorities to release the soldiers by the end of this month.

The communique reads “If the soldiers were not released, ECOWAS leaders “reserve the right and they have taken the decision to take certain measures but they would appeal and call on the authorities of Mali to release the soldiers.”

While on the issue of Guinea, the leaders said the military authorities should immediately have an inclusive dialogue with all the parties and politicians, and also expressed serious concern about the security situation in Burkina Faso, which had a coup in October.

GAROWE ONLINE