Freetown, Sierra Leone — Regional military leaders have agreed on an ambitious plan to mobilise an initial 2,000-strong multinational standby force by December 2026, aiming to confront the escalating terrorist threat across West Africa and the Sahel.
The decision was reached during a high-level meeting held here on Thursday, chaired by Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio in his capacity as chairperson of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Military chiefs from ECOWAS member states and representatives from the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) emphasised that the 2,000-troop contingent will serve as a rapid-response unit, capable of deploying quickly to hotspots where jihadist groups continue to destabilise communities.
Despite the formal withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger from ECOWAS to form the AES, participants stressed the need for close operational coordination between the two blocs to ensure the success of the troop deployment.
“Regional security knows no borders,” one senior officer told reporters after the closed-door session. “The 2,000 troops represent our collective determination to protect civilians, regardless of political differences.”
Each contributing country is now expected to formally declare its troop numbers, equipment and logistical support within weeks. Leaders insisted the force must be primarily self-financed, with member states drawing first on internal resources and budgets before seeking external assistance.
President Bio described the 2,000-troop target as “a concrete and achievable first step” toward lasting stability. Technical teams will meet again shortly to finalise contribution lists, command structure and rules of engagement.
The initiative marks the most significant joint military effort in the region in recent years and comes as terrorist attacks have surged, displacing millions and threatening economic progress across West Africa.
