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By Stella Odueme
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission has held a working session to ensure a smooth transfer of responsibilities between the outgoing and incoming Chairpersons of its Committee of the Chiefs of Defence Staff (CCDS).
The meeting, held on Monday at the ECOWAS Commission headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria, provided an opportunity to review ongoing assignments and facilitate an orderly transition of leadership within the regional security structure.
The session also underscored the Commission’s determination to collaborate with relevant authorities in developing a roadmap for the effective implementation of its counter-terrorism brigade to strengthen peace, security and stability across West Africa.
Speaking at the commencement of activities ahead of the handover, President of the ECOWAS Commission, General Birame Diop, highlighted the need for unity and effective coordination among member states in tackling the growing threat of terrorism.
Diop described terrorism as a transnational challenge that requires a coordinated regional response, stressing that individual efforts alone would not be sufficient to address the security threat.
He emphasised that sustained collaboration among ECOWAS member states and relevant security institutions remained essential to strengthening counter-terrorism operations and promoting lasting stability across the region.
The handover session forms part of efforts to ensure continuity in the work of the Committee of the Chiefs of Defence Staff and advance collective security initiatives aimed at building a peaceful and prosperous West Africa.