Abuja: ECOWAS has urged experts from member states to develop a comprehensive logistics concept and depot policies for the operation of the bloc’s standby force (ESF). Amb. Abdel-Fatau Musah, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, gave the charge at a validation meeting on the ESF logistics concept and depot policies, held on Monday in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the ESF is ECOWAS’ proposed 5,000-strong counter-terrorism force established to tackle the surge of violent extremism in West Africa, as well as unconstitutional changes of government. The five-day meeting drew experts within the government of the member states to comprehensively review the ESF logistics documents to ensure compliance with global best practices.
Musah, who was represented by Dr. Sani Adamu, Head of ECOWAS Peace Support Mission, emphasized the critical importance of having effective logistics to support the takeoff and deployment of the ESF. This effort aims to promote peace, stability, and security in the subregion. He highlighted the significant progress made by the bloc towards strengthening the ESF’s regional logistics capabilities.
He stated, “Indeed, there is no gain saying that, the development of a comprehensive logistics concept and depot policies are significant steps forward in enhancing ECOWAS capacity to respond to emerging security challenges. Governmental Experts, with exceptionally well-experienced logistics experts from our member states are all gathered here.”
Musah also addressed the increased acts of terror, violent extremism, and political instability being experienced in some member states, which necessitated a well-resourced logistics strategy with a fully functional and operational static depot. He disclosed that with the completion of the ECOWAS Logistics Depot, headquartered in Lungi, Sierra Leone, it was imperative to develop relevant documents to guide its daily operations.
Air Cdre Sampson Eyekosi, the Chairman of the ESF logistics concept and depot policies, assured that the participants would bring collective value to finetune its current drafts. He emphasized the need to develop the best and most suitable operating procedures for logistics during Peace Support Operations (PSOs) and other emergencies in the subregion.
Eyekosi further noted the importance of ensuring the ECOWAS Logistic Depot (ELD) at Lungi, Sierra Leone becomes fully operational and capable in the shortest possible time, particularly as the ELD is nearing completion with over ninety percent of expected infrastructural work already finished.