The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has reaffirmed commitment towards building robust mechanisms and structures to enhance operational efficiency in police institutions across the region.
This was considered part of a broader strategy to strengthen peace and security.
The commitment was made at the opening of the two-day annual regional meeting for Police Focal Points Unit (FPU) and Individual Police Officers (IPOs) for peace support operations, held Wednesday in Abuja.
Speaking at the event, Chairman, West African Police Chiefs Committee and Inspector General of Police, Sierra Leone, William Fayia Sellu, said the meeting marked a crucial step towards creating a reliable, mission-ready police roster to support peace operations in the region.
Represented by his Deputy, Mr. Sahr Yomba Senesi, the IGP said the workshop came at a critical time in the collective regional security journey.
“The threats confronting West Africa, armed conflict, terrorism, transnational crime and political instability, required a unified, proactive and professional responses,” Sellu said.
He emphasized the urgent need to establish standardized structures for rapid deployment, noting that police force play a unique role in bridging military interventions and civilian-led governance.
“As chair of this meeting, let me underscore the importance of building structures and mechanisms that enhance operational readiness across our national police institutions. This roster initiative aligns directly with that vision,” he said.
According to him, the outcome of the meeting must transcend paperwork.
“It should be a living tool capable of enhancing our collective ability to respond to crises, restore order and uphold the dignity of our people,” he added.
Also speaking, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Abdel-Fatah Musah, represented by the ECOWAS Director of Peacekeeping and Regional Security, Dr. Sani Adamu, highlighted the role of ECOWAS Standby Force as a vital mechanism for regional peace and security.
“As a multidimensional force, it is designed to respond swiftly and effectively to conflicts across the region and also serve as a standby brigade for the African Standby Force,” Musah said.
He noted that while tactical readiness is important, long-term peace hinges on coordinated strategies, capacity building, and shared commitment among police and gendarmerie forces across member states.
“The rapidly changing nature of threats and conflicts, particularly within our region, necessitate a dynamic and adaptive approach to policy. True security is not only about arms and strategy, but also about leveraging our collective strengths to foster a sustainable environment of peace,” he added.
Musah therefore called on all participants to actively contribute toward refining a regional police strategy that meets international standards and local realities.
“This initiative is an important investment in securing our future, a future where our children can grow free from the fear of conflict,” he stated.
The meeting brought together police and gendarmerie experts, security institutions, and international stakeholders, with the goal of establishing a sustainable and deployable regional police roster while enhancing cooperation and interoperability across West African security forces.
