Following a surge in attacks across West Africa, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) aims to establish a 2,000-strong regional standby force by the end of 2026. Defense leaders called for a rapid and coordinated response to the growing terrorist threat.
Military leaders from West African countries convened in Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone, where plans to operationalize the ECOWAS Standby Force topped the agenda.
The meeting was chaired by Sierra Leone’s President and current ECOWAS Chair, Julius Maada Bio. Discussions focused on escalating terrorist attacks in the region and emerging threats targeting coastal states.
Target of 2,000 troops by 2026
Under the plan, 2,000 troops are expected to be deployment-ready by the end of 2026. Member states are anticipated to clarify the number of personnel they will contribute.
Officials indicated that the force should primarily be financed through internal resources, with the option of seeking external support to be considered at a later stage.
Statements emphasized that institutional coordination will be critical to ensuring regional security.
Emphasis on regional cooperation
During the meeting, participants highlighted the need for closer coordination between ECOWAS and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), formed by Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
Officials noted that attacks across the region are escalating. According to data from the Global Terrorism Index, more than half of global terrorism-related deaths in 2024 occurred in West Africa.
In light of this situation, defense leaders underscored the necessity of a “swift and coordinated response.”