By: Rachel Kakraba
ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, Ambassador Dr. Abdel-Fatau Musah, has reaffirmed ECOWAS’ commitment to rebuilding trust with the three breakaway member states-Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger in an effort to prevent further escalation of the already fragile situation.
Ambassador Dr. Abdel-Fatau Musah stated the dialogue process has also been enhanced to promote good neighbourliness between the countries and ECOWAS.
“The very first thing that we need to do is to build trust between ECOWAS and our sister countries that have decided to break away. How do you build trust? It is to have listening ears. Let’s listen to each other, let them detail what their challenges are, what their grievances are, and then continue with the conversation without provoking any escalation between the two parties. You know that as neighbours, our quarrel does not lead, to a permanent split, and that we still maintain good neighbourliness, because we have common challenges”
Ambassador Dr. Musah, was speaking at a High Level Policy Dialogue in Accra. The meeting was convened by the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding WANEP with its partners including the Social Science Research Council’s African Peacebuilding Network (APN) and the Conflict Research Network (CORN) West Africa.
The meeting brought together key stakeholders including high-level representatives from ECOWAS, African Union, United Nations, development partners, policy makers, civil society organizations (CSOs), Analysts, and Researchers, etc.
It comes ahead of the “Special Summit of the Future of Regional Integration in West Africa” to be convened by ECOWAS to consider the emerging dynamics and challenges facing regional and political governance, development, peace, and security in West Africa.
Recommendations from the High Level Policy Dialogue are expected to inform and shape some of the discussions during the proposed Special Summit of the Future of Regional Integration in West Africa.
Ambassador Dr. Musah, said member countries must value benefits ECOWAS brings to their respective countries, promising it will pursue intervention programmes which will promote the well-being of all citizens. He stated that it is now imperative for ECOWAS to establish a robust communication strategy aimed at highlighting its achievements.
“I think all member states must see the value that ECOWAS adds to them. In terms of regional integration there is a whole lot of infrastructure development going on in all the countries. People should see the benefit of the community and to do that, ECOWAS has to enhance its intervention in these areas and also develop a very effective communication strategy because many of us citizens do not even know what ECOWAS is doing.
Ambassador Dr. Musah, said ECOWAS has been championing regional integration which has enormous benefits especially in the fight against terrorism.
He expressed appreciation to WANEP, the Social Science Research Council (SSRC)’s African Peacebuilding Network (APN) and Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa, and the Conflict Research Network (CORN), for putting together the conference which he said will fill knowledge gaps regarding Africa’s future in the context of the dynamic geopolitical and geostrategic shifts and interests impacting economic fortunes and the global peace and security architecture. He commended them for their contribution to regional peace.
“I would like to commend your remarkable individual and collective interventions over the years to strengthen democratic culture, advocate for peace and to promote inclusive prosperity, as well as your commitment to providing platforms for reflection and interrogation of topical issues affecting the region and Africa at large”
Executive Director of WANEP, Mrs. Levinia Addae-Mensah, in a welcome remark, said the dialogue comes at a defining moment when the region is marked by unprecedented dynamics and waves of uncertainties. She said West Africa is confronted with complex challenges which threatens to erode decades of investment in peacebuilding, regional integration, democratic governance, and social cohesion. This she said calls for urgent and innovative responses.
“The increasing fragility and fragmentation within the ECOWAS space, the growing influence of external geopolitical actors, the persistent threats of violent extremism interlinked with kidnapping, banditry, and communal violence, unconstitutional changes of government, shrinking civic space, and worsening humanitarian crises have collectively created a volatile landscape that demands urgent and innovative responses”
Mrs. Addae- Mensah, stated that the exit of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from ECOWAS is indicative of deep fractures which must be confronted with courage, candour, and commitment.
“Although this development introduces new complexities, threatening regional stability and ECOWAS’ pro-democracy agenda, it also compels us not only to understand the geopolitical and strategic changes taking place, but to think differently, to reimagine the role of regional institutions and civil society in shaping a more inclusive, resilient, and united West Africa.
She pledged commitment of WANEP, APN and CORN, to actively work to generate knowledge and support platforms for dialogue and preventive diplomacy.
“Through our early warning systems, conflict analysis and scenario building, policy research, and our support to mediation and dialogue efforts at multiple levels, we are committed to fostering people-centered solutions.
Adding on “we are particularly encouraged by the commitment of ECOWAS to organize a Special Summit on the Future of Regional Integration in West Africa, and it is our hope that the actionable policy recommendations emerging from today’s deliberations will enrich that summit and inform future strategies for peace, integration, and transformation in the region.
Programme Director African Peacebuilding Network, Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa, SSRC, Dr. Cyril Obi, acknowledged the power of research, stating that his outfit links findings to real-world practice.
“Our mandate is not just to promote the production of high quality research, but to connect the research produced by African scholars to policy and practice.
He said ECOWAS has brought peace to West Africa, by leading constitutional order creating norms, principles, mechanisms, and protocols. Dr. Obi, was hopeful the meeting will come out with potential solutions, and strategies that could help West Africa take advantage of the shifting geopolitics.
