The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has announced plans to deploy 1,650 personnel from its Standby Force (ESF) in 2026 as part of a new sub-regional counter-terrorism drive. 

The move follows an agreement by ECOWAS Ministers of Finance and Defence on funding modalities at a meeting held in Abuja, Nigeria.

Opening a two-day consultation between the ECOWAS Commission and two of its Training Centres of Excellence (TCEs) — the National Defence College (Nigeria) and the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (Ghana) — on Monday, September 15, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, H.E. Abdel-Fatau Musah, explained that the force would form part of a 5,000-strong ESF Brigade, which also doubles as the West African Brigade of the African Standby Force. 

He said the 1,650 personnel would serve as a Rapid Deployment Force to support member states in their fight against terrorism.

Ambassador Musah warned that the region’s conflict landscape is increasingly shaped by terrorism and violent extremism, with threats spreading beyond the Sahel into coastal countries. He cited Mali as an example, noting that insurgent activity has shifted from the north to central regions and western borders with Mauritania and Senegal. 

“The decision by the Ministers, once approved, will set in motion the activation of the counter-terrorism force, drawing on years of training by the TCEs,” he added.

To ensure operational readiness, the Training Centres of Excellence will continue to deliver courses such as Staff Officers Courses (SOC) and Protection of Civilians (POC) programmes, based on a capacity needs assessment conducted earlier this year. 

The Deputy Commandant of KAIPTC, Brigadier General Ziblim Bawa Ayorrogo, said the centres carried a “collective responsibility to remain responsive, innovative, and collaborative.” 

Ghana’s Representative of the ECOWAS President, Ambassador Muhammed Gana, described the initiative as timely, calling for “renewed political will to address root causes of instability” as insecurity in the Sahel spills into coastal states. 

Other dignitaries included Air Vice-Marshal Ayodele Ibrahim Hanidu, representing Nigeria’s National Defence College, and Dr. Cyriaque Agnekethom, ECOWAS Director of Peacekeeping and Regional Security.