ECOWAS: Coup, Terrorism Threatening Our Region, Support Democracy, Says Nigerian Chief Of Defence Staff
By Anthonia N Okwuolise
The Nigerian Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa on Wednesday charged his colleagues in ECOWAS to support democracy in their countries, saying he has listed terrorism, Coup d’etat organized crime among others as a ban to African’s development and progress.
General Musa said this at the 42nd ordinary session of the committee of ECOWAS Defence Chiefs in Abuja, Nigeria, Lamented the withdrawal of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso from ECOWAS. Said, recent military coups in some of these countries have resulted to unexpected consequences in the region.
Lamenting that it’s a threat to democratic values in the sub-region. According to him, “Recent challenges, like the military coups in other countries have unintended consequences and have threatened our collective democratic values. “This trend must be discouraged as it negates our core responsibility as military professionals.
He continued , “As democratic countries, we the military must uphold democratic values in line with our verious constitutions. Saying, “I’m also optimistic that this meeting will assist us to prevent such abnormalities while strengthening our collective resolve to bring about peace and sustainable development to our region”.
According to the ECOWAS commissioner for political affairs, peace, and security Abdel – Fatau Musa, stated that the withdrawal of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso from the region may lead to unintended security challenges as three military led Nest African Nations announced their immediate withdrawal from ECOWAS may cause more terrorism, Banditry and organized crime in the region. Called ECOWAS Defence Chiefs to finalize the planning, to stabilize Sierra Leone and the operationalization of ECOWAS Logistics Depot at Lungi in the Republic of Sierra Leone.
He also appreciated President Bola Tinubu for hosting the meeting, saying that Nigeria has always been a leader of the sub-region, that the great success that the region has achieved in terms of stabilizing in 1989, 1990 in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Cote d’Voire, and Guinea Bissau was a huge success.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence, Senator Ahmed Lawal, charged for actions that will ensure return of democracy in the member nations where it has been truncated.
