We Will Actualize ECOWAS Standby Force, Other Plans – Tinubu

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said leaders of the West Africa sub-region must rise above coups d’état and threats to democracy.

Dele Alake, the presidential spokesman, disclosed this on Sunday in a statement following the emergence of Tinubu as the chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) at the ongoing 63rd Ordinary session in Guinea Bissau.

The President of Africa’s most populous country avowed that insecurity and creeping terrorism are stunting the progress and development of the West African region.

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He noted that the threat to peace in the region had reached alarming proportions with terrorism and an emerging pattern of military takeover that now demanded urgent and concerted actions.

Tinubu emphasized the need to embrace kinetic and non-kinetic operations, including preventive diplomacy, to end regional insecurity.

He pledged to harmonize all strategies and resources toward actualizing lasting peace in the region.

“On peace and security, the threat has reached an alarming level and needs urgent actions to address the challenges. Indeed, the region’s progress and development will remain elusive without a peaceful environment. In this regard, we must remain committed to utilizing all regional frameworks to address the menace of insecurity.

“There is also the Regional Plan of Action on Fight Against Terrorism 2020–2024 and the operationalization of the ECOWAS standby force on fight against terrorism.

“I will ensure that we harmonise these plans and mobilise resources and the political will towards actualizing the initiatives. As terrorists do not respect boundaries, we must work collectively to have an effective regional counterterrorism measure,” he stated.