Boko Haram, Ebola to Feature in Ecowas Chiefs Meeting

Abuja — THE Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff (CCDS) will this week hold its 34th Ordinary Session in Accra, Ghana.

The meeting, scheduled for Tuesday until Thursday, will review the general security situation in the region and determine adequate responses.

According to a statement by the regional body headquarters in Abuja, the meeting will be held under the theme, "Strengthening ECOWAS Military Cooperation for Peace, Stability and Development."

The regional defence chiefs will among other issues, be briefed on the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in West Africa, which the regional Mediation and Security Council at its last meeting in March, characterized as a security threat to the region.

The statement said the CCDS meeting would also receive an update on the security situation in Northern Nigeria, where the Boko Haram sect has been waging relentless deadly terrorist attacks and kidnappings.

"The meeting will also consider the Status Report on the ECOWAS Standby Force as well as receive updates on the new Peace Support Operation Division, the operationalization of the Maritime Model Zone E, the Defence and Security Sector Reform Programme (DSSRP) in Guinea Bissau, and review the mandate of the ECOWAS Mission in that country (ECOMIB)."

It added that Ivory Coast would formally hand over the mantle of leadership of CCDC to Ghana, the current Chair of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government.

By Augustine Osayande

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