The Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff (CCDS) of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has presented a roadmap for the establishment and operationalisation of a regional counter-terrorism brigade to the President of the ECOWAS Commission, General Birame Diop.
The presentation was made during a courtesy visit by members of the committee to Diop in Abuja on October 12, 2026, on the sidelines of the handover of responsibilities from the outgoing Chairman of the CCDS, Lieutenant-General Amara Idara Bangoura, to the incoming Chairman, Vice Admiral Oumar Wade.
During the meeting, Bangoura presented the handover notes and outlined the roadmap for implementing and operationalising the proposed counter-terrorism brigade.
He highlighted the key steps required to strengthen regional security cooperation and enhance the capacity of the ECOWAS Standby Force to respond effectively to terrorist threats across West Africa.
The proposed brigade is expected to strengthen collective regional efforts to address terrorism and other security challenges confronting countries in the sub-region.
In his response, Diop commended the ECOWAS Standby Force and the Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff for their commitment to advancing the region’s counter-terrorism agenda.
He reaffirmed his support for the incoming CCDS Chairman, Vice Admiral Wade, and pledged the commission’s continued commitment to initiatives aimed at strengthening collective security.
The ECOWAS Commission president also reiterated the importance of regional cooperation in promoting peace and stability across the West African region.
The presentation of the roadmap comes as ECOWAS intensifies efforts to enhance its regional security architecture and improve collective responses to evolving terrorist threats.
