Accra: The West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) has convened a High-Level Policy Dialogue focused on understanding the evolving geopolitical and strategic landscape in West Africa. The event was held in Accra and aimed to engage stakeholders in discussions about innovative frameworks and strategies to address emerging challenges within the region.
According to Ghana News Agency, the dialogue was organized in collaboration with the Social Science Research Council's African Peacebuilding Network (APN) and the Conflict Research Network (CORN) West Africa. It sought to provide a platform for stakeholders to reflect on the effective mechanisms necessary to tackle the region's challenges in the medium to long-term, within the context of the 1993 ECOWAS Revised Treaty and the changing geopolitical environment.
The dialogue also focused on strategies for addressing the concerns of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) countries, specifically Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, and explored ways to reintegrate these nations into the ECOWAS fold. The discussions highlighted the need for innovative approaches to address the complex challenges facing West Africa today.
Mrs. Levinia Addae-Mensah, Executive Director of WANEP, emphasized the significance of the dialogue, noting that West Africa is currently facing unprecedented challenges that threaten to undermine decades of peacebuilding efforts, regional integration, and democratic governance. She described the region's current state as fragile and fragmented, with external geopolitical influence, violent extremism, and humanitarian crises contributing to a volatile environment.
The recent exit of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from ECOWAS was highlighted as a profound indicator of the region's deep fractures. Mrs. Addae-Mensah underscored the importance of understanding these geopolitical changes and reimagining the role of regional institutions and civil society in fostering a more resilient and inclusive West Africa.
Dr. Abdel-Fatau Musah, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, delivered the keynote address and stressed the critical juncture at which West Africa finds itself. He called for a renewed sense of solidarity and self-reliance among West Africans to overcome the current challenges and strengthen ECOWAS.
Dr. Cyril Obi, Programme Director of APN, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the shared destiny of the people of West Africa despite colonial-era divisions. He reiterated the importance of regional cooperation and citizen agency in shaping a brighter future for the region.
The event concluded with a call for bold leadership, strategic collaboration, and a renewed commitment to regional solidarity. Mrs. Addae-Mensah expressed optimism, highlighting West Africa's wealth of human and natural resources and the potential for peace and opportunity in the region. She stressed the importance of bridging the gap between policy and practice to achieve sustainable peace and security.
