ECOWAS Standby Force Passes Key Operational 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.
“Part of the Force generation and verification process of ECOWAS, the mission was aimed at ensuring that pledged units meet the operational, logistical and professional standards required for deployment in support of ECOWAS conflict prevention, management and Peace Support Operations,” the Commission said.
“The inspection by the Chief of Staff of the ECOWAS Standby Force, Brigadier General Sheikh Sulaiman Massaquoi, underscores ECOWAS commitment to improving regional peace, collective security and rapid response capabilities in addressing new security challenges across West Africa.”
The mission began in Conakry with high level consultations with the Acting Minister of Defence Lt Gen David Haba, the Chief of the General Staff of the Guinean Armed Forces Lt Gen Ibrahima Bangoura, the Inspector General of the Guinean Armed Forces Brig Gen Sena Camara and the Chief of Operations and Force Deployment Brig Gen Hamidou Soumah.
Brigadier General Massaquoi said “discussions centered 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.”
The Guinean military leadership reaffirmed Guinea’s commitment to the “ECOWAS vision of collective security and pledged to respond to all observations made from the inspection to better prepare the contingent for deployment.”
The inspection team then went to Kindia where the promised Motorised Company was based, to make a detailed assessment of its operational readiness.
The assessment addressed personnel strength, command and control arrangements, training, equipment, communications, logistics, medical support, engineering capabilities and self-sustainment.
The delegation was also given a comprehensive briefing by the Commandant of the Training School, Brigadier General Sorry Keita, on the extensive peace support operations training provided 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 achieved 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 demonstrated 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.”
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He stressed the need for Operational Readiness Inspections to ensure that committed forces are deployable, interoperable and able to respond effectively to regional crises. The inspection validated that the Motorized Company committed for deployment was operationally ready.
Guinea’s ongoing 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. Brigadier General Massaquoi said
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 expressed satisfaction that the inspection had 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.
