Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has warned that the withdrawal of the Alliance of Sahel States—comprising Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger Republic—from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has unsettled regional security structures.
Speaking at a review meeting with Field Commanders in Abuja, Abubakar noted that Chad’s planned exit from the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) could further hinder coordinated security operations in the sub-region.
“The disruption of existing security frameworks is a serious concern,” he said. “The withdrawal of these nations and Chad’s potential pullout from the MNJTF may limit our capacity to conduct effective joint operations.”
Abubakar highlighted a rising threat from terror groups adopting drone technology, revealing that militants had used drones armed with locally fabricated grenades in a kamikaze attack on troops in Damboa last year. He called for the urgent deployment of a comprehensive Counter-Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (C-UAV) system to protect military personnel and assets.
On January 29, ECOWAS formally acknowledged the departure of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger following a one-year notice period. Despite the schism, ECOWAS urged member states to continue recognising the national passports of the departing nations bearing the bloc’s logo.
The trio cited ECOWAS’s overreliance on France as their reason for leaving, opting instead to strengthen ties with nations like Russia, Turkey, and Iran.
The unfolding situation presents a significant challenge for West Africa’s security apparatus, raising questions about the future of regional cooperation and stability.
