By Stella Odueme
The Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff (CCDS) of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has unveiled a roadmap for the establishment and operationalisation of a regional counter-terrorism brigade aimed at strengthening security across West Africa.
The roadmap was presented to the President of the ECOWAS Commission, General Birame Diop, during a courtesy visit in Abuja on October 12, 2026.
The visit took place on the sidelines of the handover of responsibilities from the outgoing Chair of the CCDS, Lieutenant General Amara Idara Bangoura, to the incoming Chair, Vice Admiral Oumar Wade.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Bangoura outlined the proposed roadmap, highlighting key measures needed to establish and operationalise the counter-terrorism brigade.
He noted that the initiative would strengthen regional security cooperation and enhance the capacity of the ECOWAS Standby Force to respond effectively to terrorist threats across the subregion.
The proposed brigade is expected to serve as part of broader efforts to improve collective security and reinforce regional responses to the growing threat of terrorism.
Responding, Diop commended the ECOWAS Standby Force and the CCDS for their commitment to advancing the regional counter-terrorism agenda.
He also expressed support for the incoming CCDS Chair and reaffirmed the ECOWAS Commission's commitment to initiatives designed to strengthen collective security and promote peace and stability across West Africa.