Peace & Security

The idea of regional economic integration in West Africa as championed by ECOWAS is gradually consolidating despite years of erosion by violent conflicts. In support of this consolidation is the emergence of collaborative approaches towards peacebuilding, coupled with the recognition of the important position occupied by civil society organisations (CSOs) in any effort of conflict resolution.

Indeed, one of the primary benefits of collaboration between states / inter-governmental organizations and civil society is the valuable role played by CSOs in lobbying, advocacy and “naming and shaming”. Through the launching of WACSOF, ECOWAS has embraced West African CSOs as viable partners in the promotion of its peace and security, and development agendas and has called on the regional community to work collaboratively in support of these programme areas.

One such programme area is conflict prevention, which is also gaining widespread acceptance as the main vehicle for addressing state failure and perennial conflicts in the region. Recent efforts towards conflict resolution and management in Sierra Leone, Liberia, and more recently in Côte d’Ivoire, coupled with election processes in Ghana, Togo and Guinea Bissau, underscore the need to reinforce collective regional action by CSOs in support of ECOWAS.

A significant portion of WACSOF’s programming schedule is dedicated to the area of peace and security. In 2006, WACSOF engaged in conflict prevention efforts in Guinea and peacebuilding in Côte d’Ivoire with the purpose of developing programmes for civil society engagement in conflict resolution and prevention.

Thankfully, WACSOF has been able to rely on the generous support of a number of partner organizations who are committed to ensuring that it receives adequate funding to continue its programme work in peace and security.