The Economic Community of West African States Commission, ECOWAS, has called for enhanced coordination among police forces across its member states as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the regional security architecture and respond more effectively to escalating threats in the region.
At the ECOWAS Police Focal Point Officers meeting held in Abuja, senior officials and representatives from across the fifteen member states gathered to discuss progress, challenges, and strategies in preparing regional police forces for peace support operations under the ECOWAS Standby Force.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador, Mr. Abdel Moussa, the Acting Head of Peace Support Operations, Sani Adamu, emphasised that the gathering was part of a broader initiative to prepare ECOWAS’s multidimensional Standby Force, comprising police, military, and civilian components, to respond swiftly to crises.
While highlighting that the security situation in West Africa requires a dynamic, collaborative approach, the ECOWAS Commissioner also underscored the importance of inter-agency collaboration, especially at borders, citing successful coordination in Sierra Leone.
He urged member states to contribute actively to refining a robust and adaptive regional policing strategy.
Writing by Gladys Haruna