This significant development was confirmed in a final communiqué issued after the Sixty-Sixth Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which took place on December 15, 2024, in Abuja, Nigeria.
The communiqué clearly acknowledged Sierra Leone’s request, stating, “The Authority takes note of Sierra Leone’s call for the review of the mission and mandate of the proposed ECOWAS Security Mission to the Republic of Sierra Leone.” This marks a pivotal shift in the planned deployment, necessitating a comprehensive reassessment of the mission’s objectives and scope. Initially, ECOWAS had authorized the deployment of a 1,200-strong peacekeeping force to Sierra Leone in August 2024, following a meeting of the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff (CCDS) in Abuja.
Chaired by General Christopher Musa, Chief of Defence Staff of Nigeria, this meeting underscored the readiness of the ECOWAS Standby Force (ESF)—specifically the ECOWAS Counter-Terrorism Force (CTForce)—to tackle regional security challenges, including insurgency and unconstitutional changes in government.
General Musa asserted the critical nature of the forthcoming deployment, reinforcing that “the establishment of the standby force is a testament to our dedication to regional stability. It will significantly strengthen our capacity to manage both current and future security threats.” He further emphasized the necessity for a combined approach involving both military action and political solutions to ensure lasting peace and stability.
Originally, member states were expected to pledge their support for the deployment, with additional discussions organized among ECOWAS finance ministers to address funding and logistical requirements.
However, with Sierra Leone’s explicit call for a review now recognized by ECOWAS, all specifics of the mission—including size, mandate, and operational timeline—are now subject to change, depending on the outcome of the review process.
The reasons behind Sierra Leone’s request for a review were not disclosed in the communiqué, but the need for re-evaluation is clear and pressing.
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