The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has taken a major step toward enhancing regional security by finalising logistics regulations for its standby force, with a key depot set to open later this year in Lungi, Sierra Leone.
ECOWAS security experts convened in Abuja on Monday to establish the final operational guidelines for the depot, underscoring its significance in addressing growing security threats across West Africa.
The facility will serve as a hub for storing crucial equipment for peacekeeping and counterterrorism operations, according to ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, who was represented at the meeting by Acting Head of Peace Support Operations, Sanni Mohammed.
“The ECOWAS Commission has injected substantial resources into the construction and operationalisation of the depot, which remains a critical flagship project for regional peace support infrastructure,” Mohammed stated.
He noted that the rise in terrorism, violent extremism, and political instability across the region highlights the urgent need for a well-equipped logistics hub to support rapid military responses.
Strategically located along the coast, the Lungi depot will facilitate the swift movement of equipment by land, air, and sea.
Ambassador Musah emphasised that the ECOWAS standby force, already active in peace missions in Guinea-Bissau and The Gambia, is on the brink of full mobilisation for counterterrorism efforts, with troops from member states on standby for deployment.
Chairing the session, Air Commodore Sampson Eyekosi highlighted the importance of a well-structured logistics system in ensuring the success of peacekeeping missions.
“You can’t operate in isolation. We work together to achieve regional peace and security,” Eyekosi said. “The size of the force will always be dictated by the threat level, but troops across member states are already on notice, trained, and prepared for deployment when needed.”
ECOWAS’s commitment to establishing a robust logistics framework is expected to strengthen the region’s ability to respond swiftly to security challenges.
The Lungi depot is set to become a vital asset in supporting peace operations, reinforcing regional stability, and enhancing ECOWAS’s capacity to combat threats across West Africa.
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