The 43rd Ordinary Meeting of the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff (CCDS) concluded on March 13, 2025, in Abuja, Nigeria. The gathering aimed to enhance regional security and cooperation among member states.
General Christopher Musa, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff and Chairman of the CCDS, addressed his fellow committee members during the closing ceremony. He stated: “… In the course of our deliberations, we identified critical vulnerabilities to regional security and demonstrated our firm resolve towards addressing these threats. As expected, there were areas of concern between members but more importantly there was firm resolve on the need for collective action. This is the spirit of this gathering which is firmly rooted in a resolute commitment to meeting our primary obligation as members of the armed and defence forces of our respective countries which is to defend and protect our peoples from harm and insecurities.”
General Musa expressed confidence that the meeting's outcomes would lead to actions strengthening efforts for a safer Community.
Discussions focused on key security issues in West Africa. Topics included reviewing pledges for the ECOWAS Standby Force, considering pledges for an ECOWAS Counter-terrorist Brigade, and rotating staff officers within Peace Support Operation Divisions and the Standby Force.
The meeting also presented results from government experts on logistics concepts and standard operating procedures for an ECOWAS logistics depot in Lungi, Sierra Leone. Additionally, a report from the recent meeting of ECOWAS Chiefs of Naval Staff was examined along with a presentation on standardizing equipment tables for the Standby Force.
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