The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to work with Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, despite their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Musa gave this assurance in Abuja when he received a delegation from the Sahelian Think Tank, known as the ‘Alliance De Sahel,’ comprising representatives from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. The delegation, led by Aliyu Gebi, Coordinator of the Fusion Center for Dialogue and Peace Processes, is in Nigeria to study the country’s non-kinetic approach to tackling terrorism and the success of Operation Safe Corridor.
The defence chief emphasized the need for Nigeria and the Sahelian countries to collaborate in addressing terrorism, noting that events in the Sahel region directly impact Nigeria and vice versa. He revealed his intention to visit Mali and Burkina Faso to strengthen military cooperation.
“This meeting came at a very good time, especially now that so many things are happening in Africa. It shows the unity of purpose. Your presence here from the Sahelian countries shows that we are still united, despite the challenges,” Musa said.
He stressed that the enemies faced by the region, particularly in the Sahel, have no respect for life, humanity, or boundaries. “It is critical that we must work together to fight and defeat them, and I am happy that we have our brothers from Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, and other countries here to see what we are doing with our disarmament programme through Operation Safe Corridor,” he added.
Musa highlighted that kinetic and non-kinetic operations must go hand in hand, with non-kinetic approaches accounting for 70% of the solution. He emphasized the importance of good governance, fairness, justice, and equity in overcoming regional challenges.
The CDS also advised Sahelian countries to block terrorists’ access to mining sites and trace their foreign sponsors to cut off their funding sources.
In response, Aliyu Gebi, leader of the delegation, reiterated that the region would be safer and stronger through collaboration. He commended the Nigerian military for its successes against insurgents but stressed the need to harmonize strategies to achieve lasting peace.
Gen. Aime Sampore, Head of the Alliance of Sahel States delegation, noted that a stable Sahel would directly contribute to a stable and prosperous Nigeria, and vice versa. He emphasized that the visit aimed to foster regional stability and prosperity across Africa.
