Freetown, Sierra Leone — West African military chiefs have agreed to form a new regional force of roughly 2 000 soldiers to confront rising jihadist violence, according to sources at weekend talks in Freetown. Official statements indicate the planned unit will operate under the -nation Economic Community of West African States while remaining based in its members’ home territories; Sierra Leone would serve only as a logistical hub. Commanders in attendance ranked “terrorism, trans-national organised crime and maritime insecurity” as the prime threats, local sources.
Details on funding, command structure and deployment timelines are still under discussion; ECOWAS has not released an official communiqué.
The Sahel belt — spanning Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger—was described as the proposed force’s main focus, although those three states left the bloc after recent coups.
A senior West African staff officer said the new force would nevertheless “encourage cooperation” with the breakaway nations, stressing that “they must be included” because the epicentre of jihadist activity lies inside their borders.
Independent observers note that insurgents linked to Al — Qaeda and Islamic State have expanded attacks beyond the Sahel into coastal states, heightening pressure on regional leaders to share intelligence and troops. Officials have not commented on when the first contingents might be declared operational.
Further details are expected once finance and legal frameworks are tabled before ECOWAS heads of state.
