The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has officially launched a high-level Lessons Learned Workshop (LLW) aimed at evaluating and revitalizing its Peace Support Operations (PSO) across West Africa.
The three-day summit, which began on May 4, 2026, serves as a critical junction for the bloc as it seeks to modernize its security architecture in response to evolving regional threats.
Evaluating Past Missions and Future Funding
The workshop, organized by the Directorate of Peacekeeping and Regional Security, is specifically analyzing recent deployments in The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau. Beyond tactical reviews, a primary focus of the deliberations is the establishment of sustainable funding models.
Delegates are exploring the optimized use of the ECOWAS Peace Fund and strategizing on how the region can qualify for financial support under United Nations Resolution 2017. This resolution is seen as a game-changer that could provide the predictable international funding necessary for large-scale African-led peace interventions.
A New Vision for the ECOWAS Standby Force
The gathering comes at a pivotal moment as ECOWAS undergoes a strategic review of the ECOWAS Standby Force (ESF). Leadership within the commission has indicated a significant shift in doctrine, moving the ESF’s primary focus toward counter-terrorism operations. The LLW is expected to produce a roadmap for a revitalized and fully operational ESF capable of rapid response to modern insurgencies.
Leadership Perspectives on Regional Stability
In a keynote address that charted the history of West African interventions, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, emphasized the urgency of financial independence.
“There is a pressing need for ECOWAS to establish predictable funding arrangements for its Peace Support Operations,” Ambassador Musah stated. “Securing these internal mechanisms is the key that will enable us to access vital funding under UN Resolution 2017 and ensure our missions are never hindered by budget constraints.”
Supporting this sentiment, H.E. Dr. Julius Sandy, Chairman of the ECOWAS Permanent Representatives Committee, noted that regional economic integration is impossible without a foundation of absolute peace. Representing the host nation, Ambassador Hafsatu Garba Abdulkadir (on behalf of Nigeria’s Permanent Representative, Ambassador Olawale Emmanuel Awe) reaffirmed Nigeria’s unflinching commitment to regional security, pledging continued support for the bloc’s evolving military and diplomatic efforts.
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