By Bavoriat Clara
With terrorism, piracy, political instability and humanitarian crises tightening their grip on West Africa, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has moved to strengthen the region’s frontline of defence its mission leaders by convening the 2026 Senior Mission Leaders Course in Abuja, aimed at preparing top-level commanders to effectively plan, deploy and manage complex peace support operations across the sub-region.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has underscored the critical importance of capacity building in closing leadership and management gaps in peace support operations, stressing that well-trained senior mission leaders are key to addressing the region’s growing security challenges.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the ECOWAS Senior Mission Leaders (SML) Course 2026 in Abuja, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, represented by the Acting Head of the Peace Support Operations Division, Dr. Sani Adamu, said the course was designed to build strategic-level leadership capacities among participants drawn from ECOWAS member states.
He explained that the training would equip prospective senior mission leaders with the skills required to effectively plan, deploy and manage multidimensional peace support operations, adding that strong leadership remains central to the success of ECOWAS missions.
According to him, the initiative aligns with ECOWAS’ broader objective of enhancing regional security, promoting stability and deepening economic integration across West Africa. He noted that the current ECOWAS leadership, in collaboration with regional authorities, has introduced transformative measures by prioritising regional integration and funding social commitments.
Ambassador Musah observed that West Africa continues to face multifaceted security threats including terrorism, insurgency, organised crime, political instability, maritime piracy in the Gulf of Guinea and the rising menace of cybercrime. He stressed that these threats transcend national borders, undermining peace and stability across the region and requiring coordinated, innovative and collective responses.
He highlighted the exploitation of fragile states such as Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso by extremist groups as a major concern, noting that ECOWAS has demonstrated its commitment to addressing these challenges through the accelerated operationalisation of its Counter-Terrorism Force.
“This initiative is not only a military response but also a symbol of collective resolve among member states to safeguard their people. Its success, however, depends on adequate resources, effective training and robust intelligence-sharing mechanisms,” he said.
Beyond terrorism, Ambassador Musah identified the proliferation of small arms, human trafficking, electoral violence and the worsening humanitarian crisis in the Sahel where millions remain displaced as pressing concerns requiring holistic solutions that integrate security with development.
Earlier, the Commandant of the National Defence College (NDC), Rear Admiral Abdullahi Ahmed, represented by the Deputy Commandant and Course Director, Major General Kelvin Ukandu, noted that the West African sub-region continues to grapple with terrorism, insurgency, transnational crimes, piracy and unconstitutional changes of government, often resulting in political and humanitarian crises that necessitate peace support interventions.
He said that while Peace Support Operations have recorded notable achievements, their effectiveness is frequently tested by the persistence of these threats, underscoring the need for strong leadership and well-prepared mission personnel.
Major General Ukandu described the Senior Mission Leaders Course as a vital platform for building the capacities of prospective mission leaders, stressing that their role in the planning and execution of peace support mandates is critical to mission success.
He reaffirmed the National Defence College’s commitment, as an ECOWAS Strategic Training Centre of Excellence, to supporting the Commission in hosting future initiatives aimed at strengthening peace and security across West Africa, while encouraging participants to actively engage in the course as a collective investment in the region’s stability and prosperity.
admin