ECOWAS Allocates $10 Million for Lungi Military Base for ECOMOG Deployment

A major investment in Sierra Leone's security infrastructure was announced by Brigadier General Amara Idara Bangura on June 4 during a press event at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ten million dollars will be provided by ECOWAS to build a military logistics base at Lungi to get ready for the ECOMOG stabilization force's deployment.

The reason behind the deployment of the ECOWAS stabilization force in Sierra Leone was elucidated by Brigadier General Bangura. Strong military security is the main goal to protect constitutional democracy and thwart unconstitutional regimes. Between 1989 and 1990, President Joseph Saidu Momoh's administration in Sierra Leone gave rise to the concept of establishing an ECOWAS military base there. 

The persistent challenges to constitutionality, coups, and governance in West Africa and other African nations have prompted the resuscitation of this endeavor. Along with comparable locations in Ghana, Togo, and the Ivory Coast, ECOWAS will create a new logistics military camp at Lungi with President Julius Maada Bio's assent.

Brigadier General Bangura explained that ECOWAS had allotted $10 million for the Lungi military base when discussing the financial concerns. Per African continental treaties, these bases seek to facilitate prompt responses to unconstitutional governments and to foster governance stabilization for peace and security, especially in West African member states.

The arrival date of the ECOWAS stabilization force and the overall number of troops to be deployed have not been specified. It was stressed by Brigadier General Bangura that this deployment was not like earlier ones made during the civil conflict in Sierra Leone.

Instead of taking up military or security responsibilities, the forces will function under the direction of the Ministry of Defense and the Sierra Leone Police, with a stabilization mission. To keep everything peaceful and secure, they will work with the security forces in Sierra Leone.

A counterterrorism training base is planned for Ivory Coast, and further training sites will be built in Ghana. Contrary to public and social media speculation, Deputy Minister of Information Bockarie Abdel Aziz Bawoh stressed that the ECOWAS forces' entry is unrelated to the tripartite committee's conclusions.

Additionally, Brigadier General Bangura provided an update on the February 24, 2024, visit to Sierra Leone by the ECOWAS contingency team. To improve governance and security architecture, talks were undertaken with the Ministry of Defense, the Office of National Security (ONS), and the Sierra Leone Police. 

He gave journalists the reassurance that security in Sierra Leone is still in place and that everyone involved in the most recent coup attempt has been apprehended and is being prosecuted for treason and military court martial.