By Bako Christopher
Bissau, Guinea-Bissau — The Force Headquarters, ECOWAS Stabilisation Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau, FHQ ESSMGB, on Saturday, 22 August 2026, organised its monthly route m arch in Bissau to promote physical fitness, foster teamwork and enhance operational efficiency among personnel.
The 5-kilometre exercise brought together officers and soldiers of FHQ ESSMGB, staff from the Office of the Resident Representative of the ECOWAS Commission, and contingents from Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal and the Level II Hospital.
Personnel of the Guinea-Bissau Armed Forces— comprising the Army, Navy, Air Force and National Guard— also participated in the march.
Speaking after the exercise, the Force Commander ESSMGB, Brigadier General Danjuma Ribah Dantani, said the monthly physical training was designed to bring personnel together and maintain the fitness and wellbeing required for effective operations.
“Regular physical exercise helps personnel maintain healthy lifestyles and reduces the risk of health challenges associated with physical inactivity,” he stated.
Gen. Dantani urged Contingent Commanders to make physical fitness a priority by ensuring that officers and men remain physically fit and operationally ready at all times.
He commended all participants for their commitment and the successful conduct of the exercise, stressing that collective fitness and teamwork are critical to achieving the Mission’s mandate.
Major Reuben Kovangiya, Military Public Information Officer, Force Headquarters, ECOWAS Stabilisation Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau, in a statement, said that the route march provided an opportunity for personnel from the various components of the Mission and the host nation’s security forces to exercise together.
According to FHQ ESSMGB, the activity was aimed at strengthening camaraderie, team spirit and interoperability among ECOWAS troops and Guinea-Bissau security agencies working to stabilise the country.
The monthly route march remains part of ESSMGB’s welfare and training programme to keep troops combat-ready while deepening cooperation with host nation forces.
