The creation of an anti-terrorism task force within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has been advocated by the United Global Resolve for Peace (UGRFP).
In response to news of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso’s alleged collective departure from the ECOWAS, UGRFP chair Shalom Olaseni made the appeal in a statement on Monday in Akure.
According to Mr Olaseni, the task force was established in 2017 after his organization ardently promoted it because of the growing threat of terrorism in the West African region.
He says that there is an inherent connection between the growing number of coups in West African states and the widespread terrorism that exists in those countries.
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“Governments and military agencies have struggled to effectively counter these threats, and I think this should necessitate the establishment of a proactive and permanent ECOWAS Anti-terrorism Task Force.
“Terrorist networks have forged trans-West Africa alliances, underscoring the need for a collaborative approach,” he stated.
He added that the task force ought to be established formally in order to handle the ongoing and changing threats posed by terrorism, rather than being established in response to coups and other disruptive events.
“The proposed task force aims will be to eliminate safe harbours for terrorists across West Africa by fostering regional cooperation and bringing enduring peace to the region and laying the foundation for economic growth and prosperity.
“We at UGRFP believe that only through the establishment of a robust and permanent ECOWAS anti-terrorism task force can West African states collectively safeguard their citizens and secure a brighter future for the entire region,” he said.
