**ECOWAS Honors ECOMOG Commanders and Journalists for Contributions to West African Peace Efforts**
*Abuja, Nigeria – 28 August 2026* – The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) presented a series of awards on Thursday to former commanders of the ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) and to journalists who lost their lives while covering conflicts in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea‑Bissau.
The ceremony, held in Abuja, coincided with the launch of the book *Fighting Bushfires: ECOWAS and Peacemaking in West Africa – The Experience and Learning Curves*, compiled by Professor Amadu Sesay. The publication documents the regional interventions that helped end civil wars in the three countries.
**Awardees**
The following former ECOMOG commanders were recognized for their roles in restoring peace and unity:
– Lieutenant General Arnold Quainoo
– Major General Tunji Olurin
– Major General Joshua N. Dogonyaro
– Major General Rufus M. Kupolati
– Major General J. Ishaya Bakut
– Major General John Shagaya
– Major General John Mark Inienger
– Major General Victor Samuel Leonard Malu
– Major General Timothy M. Shelpidi
– Major General Felix Agho Mujakperuo
– Brigadier General Lamin Mangasouba
– General Cheick Oumar Diarra
– Retired General Seth Obeng
– Brigadier General Maxwell Khobe
Two Nigerian journalists who were killed in Liberia by forces loyal to former President Charles Taylor were also honored:
– Kreed Imodibie, *Guardian* newspaper
– Tayo Awotusin, *Champion* newspaper
In addition, veteran freelance journalist Lindsay Barret and Ghanaian journalist Ben Asante received the Symbolic Peace of the Rose Award.
**Context of the Conflicts**
– Liberia experienced a civil war from 1990 to 1997.
– Sierra Leone endured a conflict from 1997 to 2000.
– Guinea‑Bissau faced political instability and violence in 1999.
ECOWAS intervened through ECOMOG, a multinational force composed primarily of troops from Nigeria, to help restore stability in each country. The awards mark more than two decades since peace agreements were signed in the respective nations.
**Remarks by Nigeria’s Minister of Defence**
General Christopher Musa, Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, addressed the gathering, noting his personal connection to the conflict. He said he had lost ten classmates from the Nigerian Defence Academy during the Liberian war. “Those are the sacrifices that have been made, and that will continue to be made,” Musa said. “What we owe them is to ensure we unite and do not allow Africa to fall. Otherwise, the sacrifices of those who died will be in vain.”
**Significance**
The ceremony underscores ECOWAS’s ongoing commitment to regional security and the recognition of both military and civilian contributions to peacebuilding. By honoring the commanders and journalists, ECOWAS aims to preserve the memory of those who served and to reinforce the importance of collective action in preventing future conflicts in West Africa.
Article and image source: allafrica.com
