Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa on Wednesday counselled Chiefs of Defence Staff of the West African sub-region to respect and uphold democracy in their respective countries for the peace and stability of the continent.
General Musa who is the chairman of Committee of ECOWAS chiefs of Defence Staff gave counsel at the opening of the meeting of Chiefs of Defence Staff of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) held in Abuja.
He said that the call became necessary as change of government by undemocratic means would have unintended consequences and threaten democratic values in the sub-region.
The CDS advised that the threat of a military takeover of the government by the military must be totally discouraged as it negated the core responsibilities of the military profession around the globe.
According to him, “Recent challenges like the military coup in some countries in the region have had unintended consequences and have threatened our collective democratic values.
“This threat must be destroyed as it negates our core responsibilities as military professionals. Let me, therefore, use this opportunity to emphasize that, as democratic countries, we in the military must uphold democratic values in line with our various constitutions. “
He however pointed out that the meeting would assist in celebrating how to prevent coups and ensure peace and sustainable development for citizens in West Africa.
According to him, “I am also optimistic that this meeting will assist us in preventing such abnormalities while strengthening our collective resolve to bring about peace and sustainable development to our people.
“Accordingly, the complexity of this meeting demands that we leverage our collective efforts, share intelligence, and coordinate our efforts across borders if we must solve these challenges.
“Thus, collaboration is paramount and I encourage you to address both the root causes and symptoms of this security in our region. It is on this premise that the agenda for this meeting was carefully crafted to focus on critical areas and build in for our previous engagements.
“Some of these critical areas include the proposed Air Force Security Support Mission in Sierra Leone and the activation of the Air Force Standby Force against terrorism.
“Other issues are in line for deliberations are the development of the Air Force Logistics Depot in Sierra Leone and Air Force Peace Support Operations. As we embark on today’s discussions, I must remind us all that your insights and experiences are paramount to support our shared mission.”
The CDS expressed concern over rising cases of terrorism, insurgency, organized crime, violence, and unconstitutional takeover of government which threatened national security and also undermined the socio-economic development of the entire region.
According to him, “Your presence here reflects a shared commitment and dedication towards living in a sustainable environment for the safety and well-being of our people. It demonstrates a collective drive to address the various community threats affecting the region through deliberate and concerted collaborative efforts. As leaders in our respective armed forces, we are all aware of the threats that confront our nations and regions.
“These threats include terrorism, insurgency, organized crime, violence, education, and recently, unconstitutional takeover of government and national politics. These challenges not only threaten our national security but also undermine the social fabric and socio-economic development of the entire region. “
In his remarks, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar charged them to develop new mechanisms and formulate recommendations that will complement the existing convention on small arms and light weapons to effectively prevent further proliferation of illicit weapons in the West African sub-region.
He said the movement of illicit weapons in the West African sub-region “has reached alarming levels”, which he said is adversely affecting efforts of the ECOWAS in combating insecurity in the sub-region.
Tuggar said the committee of Chiefs of ECOWAS chief of defence staff is crucial to developing new military strategies and coordinating regional security, ensuring peace, stability, and effective responses to emerging threats.
According to him, “In these times of rapidly evolving challenges, your military knowledge and strategic foresight are crucial. As the vanguard of our peace and security efforts, your strategies, decisions, and actions are vital in determining our security landscape and architecture.
“Furthermore, the recent destabilizing events in some of our member states, marked by unconstitutional changes in government, remind us of the fragile nature of our democratic institutions and the urgency for robust and coordinated responses.
“This meeting therefore presents an opportunity to share insights, exchange ideas, and strengthen our partnerships to enhance our capacities and also address the security challenges we face.
“Be rest assured that once your recommendations are presented to the Mediation and Security Council at the ministerial level, they will receive the highest priorities.”
Also speaking, the Minister of Defence who was the special guest of honour, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar Badaru called on the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff to strengthen their security cooperation to enhance their defence capabilities against any security threat.
He emphasized the significance of collective efforts in combating terrorism, cross-border crimes, and hybrid threats, stressing the need for enhanced regional security cooperation to safeguard nations and promote sustainable development.
According to him, the meeting will focus on critical issues, including the proposed ECOWAS Security Support Mission in Sierra Leone, ongoing peace operations, and the operationalization of the ECOWAS Standby Force.
The Minister encouraged open dialogue, shared expertise, and collaborative solutions to strengthen security cooperation and enhance regional defence capabilities.
On his part, the Interior Minister, Hon Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo charged the security Chiefs to collaborate to find a lasting solution to the multifaceted security challenges in the Subregion.
ALSO READ THESE TOP STORIES FROM TheWitness
