Sierra Leone Defence Chief Visits Guinea-Bissau Over ECOWAS Mission Withdrawal

The Chairman of the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff and Sierra Leone’s Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Amara Idara Bangura, paid a working visit to Guinea-Bissau over the weekend to formally convey ECOWAS’ position on the operational timelines for the draw-down and withdrawal of the ECOWAS Stabilisation Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau (ESSMGB).

The visit formed part of ongoing diplomatic and military engagements aimed at ensuring a coordinated transition as ECOWAS moves to scale down the mission.

In his capacity as Chairman of the Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff, Lt Gen Bangura presented the sub-regional bloc’s agreed timelines and operational expectations to guide the mission’s phased withdrawal.

ECOWAS and Guinea-Bissau authorities are expected to work closely on the implementation process, including troop reductions, the handover of responsibilities, and measures to sustain security gains.

Lieutenant Colonel Yayah Brima Esq, Director of Defence Public Relations and Information, said updates on the implementation of the agreed timelines will be provided as they become available.