Ministers of Finance and Defence of ECOWAS Member States at the meeting in Abuja
Nigeria’s Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru said this on Thursday in Abuja during a meeting of Ministers of Finance and Defence ECOWAS Member States.
He said that in the alternative, the ECOWAS could set up a 1,650-strong force with $481 million annually.
Badaru said that the meeting would consider the two proposals.
“The financial implications of these proposals are significant. The overall estimated cost is $2,606,695,640 per year for a brigade of 5,000 men.
“The alternative proposal is for a brigade of 1,650 men, with an estimated annual cost of $481,459,335.
“These figures underscore the gravity of the task before us and the necessity of a robust and sustainable resource mobilisation strategy,” he added.
The meeting was to decide the size of the anti terrorism force and funding requirements.
“It is therefore imperative that we critically review the options considering the current challenges confronting our region and the financial concerns facing our various member states.”
Dr Omar Ali Toure, President of the ECOWAS Commission, said the region must take steps to fight terrorism collectively.
He said this was necessary in view of the 2024 Global Terrorism Index reports which indicated that the epicentre of terrorism has shifted from the Middle East and North Africa to sub-Saharan Africa, especially the Sahel.
“The Sahel is the most affected region within the Sahara, accounting for over half of all deaths from terrorism and 26% of attacks in 2023.
“Some of our member states have become countries with the highest impact from terrorism for the first time, with fatalities increasing by 68%.
“A quarter of all deaths from terrorist attacks occurring globally were in Burkina Faso, while Mali is ranked number three most impacted country.
Touray said members under suspension would not be excluded from the regional force.
In January, military-ruled Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali exited the 15-member union after their suspension by the ECOWAS.
“Taking due consideration of the transborder nature of the menace and the need to address it collectively and in line with the directive by the Authority on Peace and Security Matters, I would like to inform this August body that the invitation to this meeting was extended to all the 15 ECOWAS member states,” he said.
