The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has called upon the ECOWAS committee of chiefs of defence staff to create new mechanisms and develop recommendations that will enhance the existing convention on small arms and light weapons.
This is to effectively prevent the further spread of illegal weapons in the sub-region. He stated that the movement of illegal weapons in the West African sub-region has reached alarming levels, which is negatively impacting ECOWAS’s efforts to combat insecurity in the area.
Tuggar made these remarks on Wednesday, August 7, at the 42nd meeting of ECOWAS chiefs of defence staff at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.
He said the committee of Chiefs of ECOWAS chief of defence staff is crucial to developing new military strategies and coordinating regional security, ensuring peace, stability, and effective responses to emerging threats.
He said: “In these times of rapidly evolving challenges, your military knowledge and strategic foresight are crucial.
“As the vanguard of our peace and security efforts, your strategies, decisions, and actions are vital in determining our security landscape and architecture.
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“Furthermore, the recent destabilizing events in some of our member states, marked by unconstitutional changes in government, remind us of the fragile nature of our democratic institutions and the urgency for robust and coordinated responses.
“This meeting therefore presents an opportunity to share insights, exchange ideas, and strengthen our partnerships to enhance our capacities and also address the security challenges we face.
“Be rest assured that once your recommendations are presented to the Mediation and Security Council at the ministerial level, they will receive the highest priorities.”
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