ECOWAS Defence Chiefs to meet on terrorism, Ebola
ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff will begin its 34th Ordinary Session tomorrow, Tuesday in Accra, Ghana, to review the general security situation in the region and determine adequate responses.
A statement by the ECOWAS Commission on Monday in Abuja revealed that the meeting, entitled: “Strengthening ECOWAS Military Cooperation for Peace, Stability and Development”, the regional defence chiefs will among other issues, be briefed on the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in West Africa, which the regional Mediation and Security Council at its last meeting in March, characterised as a security threat to the region.
A statement by stated further that the meeting would also receive an update on the security situation in Northern Nigeria, where the Boko Haram sect has been waging relentless deadly terrorist attacks and kidnappings.
“In addition, the meeting will also consider the Status Report on the ECOWAS Standby Force as well as receive updates on the new Peace Support Operation Division, the operationalisation of the Maritime Model Zone E, the Defence and Security Sector Reform Programme in Guinea Bissau, and review the mandate of the ECOWAS Mission in that country,” it said.
It was stated revealed further that, Cote d’Ivoire, which has chaired the CCDS for the past two years, will formally hand over the mantle of leadership to Ghana, the current Chair of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government.
Guinea Bissau hosted the last CCDS meeting in Bissau last February. The meeting will ends on Thursday.
