Nigeria’s Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has noted with concern that the withdrawal of the Alliance of Sahel States from ECOWAS has disrupted existing security frameworks and plans by Chad to pull out of the Multinational Joint Task Force will affect the ability of the joint security force to conduct operations.
Air Marshal Abubakar, who stated this at a review meeting with Field Commanders in Abuja, said terror group’s use of drones carrying locally fabricated grenades in a kamikaze role to attack troops in Damboa last year indicates the growing efforts of terrorists to proliferate drone attack technology.
The Chief of the Air Staff emphasised that it has become critical to implement a comprehensive and integrated Counter-Unmanned Aerial Vehicle system to safeguard troops and air assets.
On January 29, 2025, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) recognised the exit of three of its former members Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger Republic upon the expiration of a one-year notice period.
However, in “the spirit of regional solidarity”, ECOWAS asked its member countries to still recognise the national passports of the three exiting countries bearing the ECOWAS logo until further notice.
The three junta-led countries formally notified ECOWAS of their plan for an “immediate” withdrawal in January 2024, citing the organisation’s excessive dependence on France in particular.
Paris has become the common enemy of the three juntas, which now favour partnerships with countries such as Russia, Turkey and Iran.
However, ECOWAS required one year’s notice for the departure to be effective — that deadline falls on Wednesday.
The three Sahelian countries have teamed up to form a separate confederation called the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
