ECOWAS Reinforces Security as Standby Force Undergoes Readiness Inspection

The ECOWAS Commission, through its Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security and the ECOWAS Standby Force, has successfully conducted an Operational Readiness Inspection, ORI, of the Republic of Guinea’s pledge Motorized Company.

The mission was part of the Force generation and verification process of ECOWAS, the Commission said, “aimed at ensuring pledged units meet the operational, logistical and professional standards required for deployment in support of ECOWAS conflict prevention, management and Peace Support Operations.”

“The inspection by the Chief of Staff of the ECOWAS Standby Force, Brigadier General Sheikh Sulaiman Massaquoi, highlights ECOWAS commitment to enhancing regional peace, collective security and rapid response capabilities in tackling new security challenges across West Africa.”

The mission started in Conakry with high-level consultations with the Acting Minister of Defence, Lieutenant General David Haba; the Chief of the General Staff of the Guinean Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Ibrahima Bangoura; the Inspector General of the Guinean Armed Forces, Brigadier General Sena Camara; and the Chief of Operations and Force Deployment, Brigadier General Hamidou Soumah.

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“Discussions focused on ways to improve military cooperation, increase interoperability, improve force generation, and strengthen operational readiness to counter terrorism, violent extremism, transnational organized crime, and other regional security threats,” said Brigadier General Massaquoi.

The Guinean military leadership reiterated Guinea’s commitment to the “ECOWAS vision of collective security and promised to respond to all observations arising from the inspection to further improve the contingent’s preparedness for deployment.”

Then the inspection team proceeded to Kindia, where the promised Motorised Company was based, to carry out a detailed assessment of its operational readiness.

The assessment covered personnel strength, command and control arrangements, training, equipment, communications, logistics, medical support, engineering capabilities and self-sustainment.

The delegation also received a detailed briefing from the Commandant of the Training School, Brigadier General Sorry Keita, on the wide-ranging peace support operations training given to the contingent.

Training areas include Protection of Civilians, Rules of Engagement, International Humanitarian Law, International Human Rights Law, Civil-Military Coordination, Gender and Protection, First Aid and Combat Life-Saving, Leadership, Military Ethics, Conflict Management and Operational Planning.

The inspection has confirmed that the pledged Motorised Company has attained a commendable level of operational readiness and has demonstrated professionalism, discipline, cohesion and competence consistent with ECOWAS operational standards,” Brigadier General Massaquoi said;

The contingent also showed a good understanding of International Humanitarian Law, human rights principles, protection of civilians and multinational peace support operations.

“The Chief of Staff of the ECOWAS Standby Force, Brigadier General Massaquoi, “commended the Government of the Republic of Guinea and the leadership of the Guinean Armed Forces for their commitment to preparing the contingent for regional peace support missions.”

He highlighted the need for Operational Readiness Inspections to make sure that committed forces are deployable, interoperable and able to respond effectively to regional crises. The inspection confirmed the Motorized Company pledged for deployment was operationally ready.

Guinea’s continued investment in training, equipment, and force readiness is a valuable contribution to the operationalization of the ECOWAS Standby Force and strengthens the Community’s collective capacity to promote peace, security and stability throughout West Africa. Brig. Gen. Massaquoi told

Lieutenant General Ibrahim Bangoura, Chief of the General Staff of the Guinean Armed Forces, thanked the ECOWAS Standby Force inspection team for its professionalism and objective assessment.

He said he was pleased that the inspection confirmed the operational preparedness of Guinea’s pledged Motorised Company and reiterated Guinea’s commitment to regional peace, security and collective defence under the ECOWAS Standby Force.