- Akufo-Addo stresses the immediate requirement for an ECOWAS standby force to address regional instability
- The force would act as a deterrent against coups and terrorism
- The force would allow ECOWAS to respond rapidly and effectively to emerging security threats
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has highlighted the urgent need for a standby force within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), stressing that such a force is vital for maintaining regional stability and security.
At the opening of the second Africa Security Conference and Exhibition in Accra, Akufo-Addo emphasized that establishing this standby force is crucial to address the rising number of coups and unconstitutional government changes that have troubled West Africa in recent years.
Akufo-Addo argued that a dedicated ECOWAS standby force would serve as a powerful deterrent against attempts to destabilize the region through unconstitutional actions and counter ongoing terrorism and insurgencies.
He expressed confidence that had such a force been in place earlier, it could have significantly mitigated the series of military coups that have shaken various West African nations.
“The recent ECOWAS summit committed to the prompt formation of this standby force. I am convinced that its presence would have been a strong deterrent against the proliferation of coups and terrorism,” Akufo-Addo remarked.
He underlined that this force is essential for regional stability, enabling ECOWAS to respond swiftly to threats, support democratic governance, and foster peace across West Africa.
Akufo-Addo’s comments come amid ongoing challenges in the region, including a troubling resurgence of military coups driven by political dissatisfaction and economic hardships, alongside persistent terrorism and insurgencies in countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
