The United States has announced its commitment to working closely with Nigeria to spearhead discussions on the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention across the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Mallory Stewart, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Arms Control, Deterrence, and Stability (ADS), made this known during a media roundtable in Abuja yesterday.
Stewart, currently in Nigeria for high-level discussions, explained that her visit included meetings with officials from the Nigerian government and ECOWAS. The focus of these discussions was on enhancing regional security through the implementation of international conventions on chemical weapons.
“One of the key topics we addressed is our upcoming partnership with the Nigerian government to lead a sub-regional conversation on the Chemical Weapons Convention,” Stewart said. She emphasized the importance of Nigeria’s role in voicing concerns about chemical security, particularly in relation to non-state actors, and how ECOWAS member states could benefit from better implementation of these international agreements.
Additionally, Stewart discussed the security challenges in the Gulf of Guinea and the potential for U.S. support in strengthening the Yaoundé Architecture, a framework designed to enhance maritime security in the region. She highlighted the importance of improving communication, standard operating procedures, and overall capacity to enhance Nigeria’s contributions both domestically and within the broader sub-regional context.
Regarding ECOWAS’ recent formation of a sub-regional standby force, Stewart assured that U.S. experts at the embassy would be actively engaged in following up on this initiative, demonstrating the U.S.’s commitment to regional security cooperation.