The West African Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) has urged governments and relevant authorities in West Africa and the Lake Chad Basin to invest in peacebuilding to effectively address conflicts in the region.
This call was made on Monday at the start of a three-day training workshop in Abuja focused on conflict prevention, violent extremism, crisis management, and peacebuilding. The event, organized by the Research and Action for Peace Network (REcAP Network) and implemented by WANEP in collaboration with the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) and the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), is funded by the European Union (EU).
The initiative aims to establish a sustainable, inclusive, and effective regional network of peacebuilding experts across 18 countries in West Africa and the Lake Chad Basin, fostering regional cooperation.
During his presentation on conflict and conflict prevention, Festus Kofi Aubyn, Regional Coordinator of Research and Capacity Building at WANEP-Regional, emphasized the need for early intervention. He highlighted that conflicts often escalate due to neglected early warning signs and insufficient proactive measures by authorities.
“Conflict prevention is key. We must not only be preventive but proactive to ensure conflicts do not start in the first place,” Aubyn stated. He advocated for comprehensive peacebuilding efforts, where conflicting parties can express their perspectives and reach compromises to build lasting relationships and prevent conflicts.
Aubyn also suggested systematic, direct, and structural methods for crisis management and peacebuilding, noting that poverty and unemployment, while root causes of conflict, require long-term structural solutions.
Dr. Bridget Osakwe, Nigeria National Network Coordinator for WANEP, stressed that resources themselves do not cause conflict but can be a catalyst when there is a deliberate intention to exploit them. She highlighted the importance of thorough conflict analysis in peacebuilding efforts to ensure effective strategies.
Osakwe pointed out the distinction between peacebuilding and peacekeeping, noting that the latter involves military intervention during active conflicts. She underscored the government’s role in providing basic amenities to citizens, particularly in rural areas, to address their legitimate demands and reduce susceptibility to extremist influences.
“Violent extremism thrives in ungoverned spaces,” Osakwe explained, citing the example of the North East, where terrorists gained local support by providing basic needs. “Items as simple as wheelbarrows were distributed, fostering local support for their actions over time.”
The workshop aims to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to enhance peacebuilding efforts and prevent conflicts in the region.
