National Consultation in Niger

“Promoting Human Security and Sustainable Peace through Collective Action”

As part of the process to contextualise the West Africa and Global Action Agendas to national needs and to strengthen Civil Society collaboration in conflict prevention in Niger, a national consultation with the theme “Promoting Human Security and sustainable peace through collective action” was held in Niamey from August 14 – 15, 2007. The consultation served as a platform to create awareness on the Global Action Agenda as an advocacy and lobbying tool among civil society actors. About 30 participants from about 15 different Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Niger took part in the consultation. They examined the various conflicts in their respective regions and developed strategies on how they could work collectively to enhance their role in conflict prevention and the promotion of human security in Niger. At the end of the consultation, the participants drafted a resolution echoing their commitment to engage actively with the government for stronger collaboration in the area of conflict prevention and human security in the country. 

A representative of the Ministry of Justice was the Special Guest at the opening ceremony and he reiterated the Government’s commitment to work closely with CSOs on a common platform to develop the necessary structures for durable peace in the country taking into account the recent upheavals in the north of the country. 

 

Below is the resolution drafted by the participants:

We, the participants gathered here in Niamey at the Hotel Terminus from August 14 to 15, under theme “Promoting Human Security and Sustainable Peace through Collective Action”, under the auspices of WANEP;

Considering the extent of damage as a result of violent conflict in the North of the country, thus threatening peace and national cohesion; 

Considering the extent of threats to social peace and development posed by disputes over land ownership and natural resources management in our country;

Conscious of the danger posed by the politicisation of the Administration;

Conscious of the risks posed by the inefficiency of the judicial system for the promotion of justice, peace and economic development in Niger;

Considering the negative effects of regionalism constituting an obstacle to national cohesion and unity;

Considering the soaring rate of unemployment and its consequences on peace and development in our country;

Considering the many problems confronting the educational sector thus resulting in recurrent strikes which consequently reduce the duration of the academic year and negatively affect the general educational standard;

Considering the urgency to finding durable solutions to the above-mentioned problems;

 

Hereby commit ourselves to

1. Implement in our respective communities the outcomes of this consultation;

2. Widen the partnership in order to create the synergy required for the effective and efficient application of the outcomes of this consultation;

3. Inform and sensitise the religious leaders, traditional authorities, parliamentarians, political parties, civil society organisations, women and the youth on the strategies for conflict prevention and management for durable peace and sustainable development in our country.