Military chiefs from the 12 member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have agreed in principle to establish a new regional force to combat jihadist insurgencies and growing insecurity across West Africa, according to sources cited by AFP. The decision was reportedly taken during a high-level meeting in Freetown over the weekend, where defense leaders reviewed the escalating terrorist threat, the spread of transnational organized crime and ongoing maritime insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea.
The proposed force would initially comprise about 2,000 troops dedicated to counterterrorism and stabilization operations. Rather than being permanently deployed outside their borders, the troops would remain based in their home countries, with Sierra Leone expected to serve as a key logistical hub. Details on funding, command structure and operational mandates are still under discussion, and ECOWAS has yet to issue a formal public statement confirming the plan.
The move comes as violence linked to extremist groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda and Islamic State continues to destabilize the Sahel region, a vast belt stretching between the Sahara and sub-Saharan Africa. Attacks have intensified in recent years, particularly in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. The three countries, all led by military juntas following coups, have withdrawn from ECOWAS and formed their own security alliance. However, a West African chief of staff quoted by AFP stressed that cooperation with them remains essential, describing their territories as the “epicentre” of the fight against jihadist groups. Regional analysts say the proposed force reflects ECOWAS’s renewed push to strengthen collective security mechanisms after years of political fragmentation and strained relations within the bloc
