China Donates Military Equipment, Supports ECOWAS Standby Force

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 China Donates  Military Equipment, Supports ECOWAS Standby Force 


Chinese Government today has announced  it  supported for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Standby Force (ESF) with military equipment to assist it in peace keeping operations. 

The donated equipment were formally handed over to the ECOWAS Commission at the Mogadishu Cantonment in Abuja.

In his remark, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Gu Xiaojie, said the donation of the non-lethal military equipment was in recognition of the tremendous efforts of ECOWAS towards maintaining peace and stability in the region.

"The government of China recognised the importance of peaceful coexistence as a prerequisite for economic development and social cohesion, which is the reason China, as a member of the United Nations Security Council, is playing active role in maintaining peace and stability around the world," he said.

The envoy noted that the donation of these equipment valued at around $5million, which according to him, was in line with the five-point agenda of China in its relationship with Africa.

He stressed that the Chinese people would continue to provide assistance to the region within its capacity and capability.

The envoy reiterated that for more than 40 years, China had enjoyed excellent relationship with ECOWAS and its member states.

Xiaojie added that the donation made to ESF was a symbol of China’s recognition of the integrating role of ECOWAS in bringing the region together for peace and development.

The ambassador thanked Nigerian government and its people for facilitating the transfer and clearance of the equipment, which was made possible through Nigeria’s Ministries of Defense and that of Foreign Affairs.

He also urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the equipment.

Speaking at the event, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Mr. Kadre Desire Ouedraogo, acknowledged the important role China had been playing in the development of West Africa, and thanked the government and people of China for the donation of the military equipment to ESF.

He said with the equipment, ESF would be better positioned to serve the people of the region through rapid deployment in areas of conflicts.

The president added that the region was faced with new realities and emerging threats to peace and security through upsurge in religious extremism, new waves of terrorism attacks and asymmetric warfare.


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