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By Mark Longyen
Air Cdre Sampson Eyekosi, Chairman, ECOWAS Standing Force (ESF) Logistics Concept and Depot Policies, says the force will leverage technology to tackle terrorism and violent extremism in the subregion.
Eyekosi disclosed this at the closing ceremony of a validation meeting on the ECOWAS standby force’s logistics concept and depot policies, on Friday in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ESF is ECOWAS’ proposed 5,000-strong counter-terrorism force established to tackle the surge of violent extremism in West Africa and unconstitutional changes of government.
Eyekosi said that leveraging technology by harnessing Artificial Intelligence, drones, and other forms of technology in West Africa, was one of the resolutions reached at the meeting.
“We want to leverage technology and fight against terrorism, insurgency and other threats we see, even climate change.
“We need to deploy the technology of Artificial Intelligence, drones, and other forms of technology.
“We need to harness them as much as possible, working as a whole for the community,” he said.
Eyekosi said ECOWAS member states would also bring their expertise in early warning, humanitarian issues, youth and women toward ensuring peace and security.
He said that another resolution at the meeting was on how to address the challenges of funding the operations of the standby force.
“So, one of the resolutions is to encourage the ECOWAS Commission on looking at various options to raise funds.
“There is also the need to bring in the private sector, encourage member states to support logistics that are required for operations.
“Member states should contribute, the private sector should contribute, and we will together harness our abilities, without waiting for outside nations to come and support us,” he said.
According to him, ECOWAS will still partner others outside its member states, but the bloc must take ownership by taking charge because peace and security is their first responsibility.
“We must play our part before we expect others to support us. So that is one key resolution that we reached.
“Whenever there are operations also, we still need to work together,” Eyekosi said.
He also said that the ESF would also collaborate with the media and other stakeholders.
“Proper information dissemination and communication are essential, so we can achieve the aim of peace and security in West Africa,” he added.
Eyekosi expressed confidence that the anti-terrorism war would be successful when the ECOWAS Logistics Depot (ELD), with headquarters in Sierra Leone, becomes fully functional.
“This is especially as the ELD is now at the verge of being commissioned this year, with over ninety per cent of expected infrastructural work already completed on the facility.
“This is to ensure that we have peace and security in West Africa, as the ECOWAS logistics depot becomes operational fully this year.
“We need to carry our political masters, the heads of state and authority of governments in West Africa, carry everybody along. It’s a whole-of-society approach,” the air force chief said.
NAN reports that the five-day workshop, which drew governmental experts from member states, aimed to review the ESF’s logistics documents toward ensuring compliance with global best practices.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz
Published By
- Agriculture and Environment Desk Editor, Website Content Manager.
