ECOWAS to promote inclusive, peaceful transitional process in West Africa
The ECOWAS Commission along with the Political Officers/Military Advisors of the Diplomatic Corps have resolved to persist in advocating for a peaceful and inclusive transition in West Africa.
The Political Affairs Peace and Security Department’s Mediation and Coordination of Political Affairs Division informed the Political Officers/Military Advisors of the Diplomatic Corps on this matter on November 24, 2022, in Abuja, Nigeria.
Dr. Abdel-Fatau Musah, the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security (CPAPS) of the ECOWAS Commission, articulated in his introductory comments during the briefing that, considering the complexities of the political and socio-economic landscape in the region, ECOWAS will remain committed to its stated role of supporting its Member States in their democratic, peace, and stability endeavours.
Dr. Musah highlighted the importance of the ECOWAS mediators’ function in assisting countries navigating various transitional stages. He also remarked that the existing mechanisms for mediation and intervention should be regularly assessed to incorporate best practices and ensure that more is accomplished beyond mere kinetic actions by established authorities. Furthermore, he underscored the necessity of engaging civil actors in the region for dialogue and operationalizing the regional Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) within the next two years.
Dr. Idayat Hassan, director of the Centre for Democracy and Development, provided the primary presentation of the briefing, delineating the multiple aspects of the topic: “Encouraging an Inclusive and Peaceful Transitional Process in West Africa: The Contribution of Civil Society to the Transitional Processes.”
In addition to the inherent inclination of some current leaders to manipulate democratic frameworks through exclusionary constitutional amendments, she identified two converging trends: insecurity and contested elections.
She recommended, among other considerations, critically examining the role of information disorder (primarily stemming from digital technology), misinformation, the proliferation of actors and methodologies, alongside grassroots solutions, while ensuring that responses are driven by community stakeholders and institutions, to curb the increasing threat of a regression towards dictatorial practices.
The briefing, which was attended by a variety of political personnel and military advisors from the diplomatic corps in Abuja, experienced vibrant discussions and evaluations of the socio-political context in the region. Mr. Thomas Kieler, the representative of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, also conveyed positive sentiments and pledged the EU’s continued backing for the ECOWAS political intervention efforts.
The second of the biannual briefings for 2022 offers a structured platform for interaction and the exchange of ideas on peace and security matters between the ECOWAS Commission and Abuja’s diplomatic corps.
