West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP)

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on enhancing Conflict Prevention in West Africa has been signed by both parties. This MOU renews a previous one that focused on Capacity Building for ECOWAS and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the area of Conflict Prevention that lasted from April 2003-April 2006. The renewed MOU provides the framework for WANEP-ECOWAS collaboration for another three years (till June 2009). Key activities would be in the area of Peace and Security in West Africa, particularly the completion of the operationalization of the ECOWAS Early Warning System.

One of the developments in the ECOWAS Early Warning System is the establishment of the computerized data base-ECOWARN. After three years of intensive work and consultations with keys stakeholders including Member States, civil society, academia on how to effectively operationalize the ECOWAS early warning system, a bulk of indicators was developed and strategies proposed. While some proposals for improvement would need the review of the Protocols at the highest political level, ECOWARN is already deploying thirty staff on the ground.

In the fifteen (15) Member States of ECOWAS, there would be two main Conflict and Peace Monitors, one from the State and the other from Civil Society (represented by WANEP) tasked with the responsibility of organizing their networks of information collection. At the Zonal Bureau levels, WANEP Zonal Coordinators would help in coordinating information collection and support ECOWAS Zonal Bureau heads in conflict and peace analysis. The WANEP Liaison Officer in ECOWAS then harnesses the civil society perspectives by assisting the Observation and Monitoring Centre (OMC) in analysis and packaging.

In preparation for the launching of the ECOWARN System, WANEP organized an in-house training regrouping its Monitors and Zonal Coordinators to strategize and understand the roles and responsibilities and other practical issues necessary for the smooth take off of ECOWARN. The workshop lasted from June 26-29, 2006 in Accra. It was an occasion for WANEP to formally append its signature on the renewed MOU with ECOWAS. The renewal of the MOU demonstrates the growing confidence and interest ECOWAS accords to WANEP and the partnership.

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WANEP, USIP ORGANISE WORKSHOP ON CHALLENGES FOR PEACE IN COTE D’IVOIRE

Sustainable peace in Côte d’Ivoire could be achieved much faster if civil society organizations were proactively engaged in the process, participants at a workshop have said in Accra on Tuesday, 20 July. They observed that there had been a lack of institutional recognition of the role Ivorian CSOs can play in the country’s political crisis and for this reason they were never involved in the peace process.

The workshop which was held from 19 to 20 June brought together civil society groups from Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire under the theme, Challenges for Peace and Reconstruction in Côte d’Ivoire. It was organized by the United States Institute of Peace in collaboration with the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP). The participants acknowledged the crucial role of traditional chiefs in unifying people and regretted their non-involvement in the peace and reconciliation process.

In an intervention, a traditional chief representing a group of chiefs at the workshop said: “The traditional chiefs are the people on the ground. They know their people and they (chiefs) have their trust and confidence. To have neglected the chiefs in the mediation process was indeed regrettable.” The traditional chief noted that there were pockets of crisis within the larger national political crisis whose solution lay outside international diplomacy.

The workshop saw the on-going disarmament, demobilization and reintegration as challenging. It saw obvious contradictions paying in monies out to old combatants while the real victims of the crisis wallowed in poverty and deprivation. Participants asserted that such a scheme could give rise to new conflict in which the sole motivation would be to receive similar packages of compensation for disarming.

Civil Society organizations, particularly NGOs were asked not to put themselves at the service of political parties and politicians who fund them lest they compromise and undermine their mission. Participants therefore called for state funding of all NGOs in Côte d’Ivoire and asked them to take the initiative in responding to some of the national challenges rather than wait on government functionaries as to what to do.

The workshop also called for a free and responsible press in Côte d’Ivoire that should be non-partisan and seek to promote peace and development in the country.

The role of external actors, particularly the UN mission in Côte d’Ivoire, and ECOWAS was taught to be highly commendable.

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WANEP, OXFAM GB DEVELOP CONFLICT REDUCTION STRATEGY FOR GHANA

WANEP in collaboration with Oxfam GB organized a two-day working session to develop a conflict reduction strategy for Ghana. The workshop which took place from 11 to 12 May, brought together practitioners from the field of peace and security from the various regions of Ghana.

The aim of the workshop was to enhance collaboration among actors working in conflict prevention and peacebuilding thus creating synergy around a common agenda and avoiding duplication of efforts. Land, Chieftaincy, Religion, Proliferation of Small Arms, Poor Governance, Poverty, and Ethnic intolerance were identified as some of the main causes of conflicts in Ghana. The lack of mutual respect and disregard for inter-dependence were identified as some of the underlying issues that often fuelled violence.

After two days of in-depth discussion and analysis, participants developed a three-year strategy to reduce violent conflicts in the country and committed themselves to collaborate in the implementation of the strategy. WANEP and Oxfam GB will provide the necessary support to ensure the operationalisation of the strategic plan.

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SUB REGIONAL RECONCILIATION SEMINAR IN ACCRA

From May 3 to 5, the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) in collaboration with WANEP and the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Center (KAIPTC) organized a three-day seminar on Reconciliation at KAIPTC in Accra. The training brought together representatives from the field of reconciliation from four Anglophone countries such as: The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone. A similar workshop was organized for Francophone countries at the Institute of Goree, Senegal.

The objectives of the seminar were to launch the English version of a Reconciliation Handbook published by IDEA and to share experiences, exchange information and learn best practices on reconciliation from other countries. The participants expressed their appreciation for given the opportunity to meet experts in the field across the sub region and learned from various experiences.

The timing of such meeting was right as West Africa is moving from violent conflict to the phase of reconstruction. Participants recognized the fact that without reconciliation, all the efforts and resources invested in development would be meaningless; thus reconciliation is conceived as the foundation to build lasting peace and attain national development goals. In addition, issues such as the truth commission, the international criminal court and other challenges having bearing on reconciliation processes were addressed.

The seminar exposed the need for capacity building and research and documentation on case studies in the field of reconciliation in the sub-region. IDEA, WANEP and the Institute of Goree are currently exploring possibilities for future collaboration to further contribute to the field of reconciliation in West Africa.

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WORKSHOP FOR NATIONAL RECONCILIATION AND COLLABORATION IN LIBERIA

The Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars in partnership with Conflict Management Partners and the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) conducted a five-day training on National Reconciliation in Monrovia, Liberia. The Workshop, which was held from April 23-28, 2006, gathered high profile political leaders, legislators, youth leaders, religious groups, women’s groups, former rebel leaders and other stakeholders.

Her Excellency, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf graced the opening ceremony with her presence and praised the timing of such an important training. Notable among the participants were the Minister of Justice, the Minister of Gender, the Minister of Trade, the Chairperson of the Liberia Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the Speaker of the House, former first lady, Jewel Taylor and former rebel leaders.

The goal of the training was to build the capacity of top political leaders and pertinent stakeholders in interest-based negotiation, effective communication, consensus building, and effective decision-making. The training was designed to strengthen the reconciliation process among participants of different background and to enhance their management, communication, and negotiation skills and collaborative capacities.

Simulation techniques were used to help participants restore and build trust, develop a common vision for the reconstruction of Liberia and reach consensus for nation-building.

A committee for the coordination of the network was established to follow up and sustain the discussions initiated. Plans are underway to expand the training to other constituencies identified by the Liberians themselves.

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TOGO CONSULTATION (DIALOGUE 2)

In 2005, following the violence arising from the poorly-managed transition and constitutional machination that saw Faure Gnassingbe’s raise to power, WANEP in partnership with the Institute of Democratic Governance (IDEG), initiated a project initially known as “Quick Impact for Violence Free Election in Togo”. The project that is sponsored by the Dutch Embassy in Ghana, focused on creating awareness for violence free election and building capacity for effective electoral and democratic process in Togo. However, in the implementation of the project, WANEP-IDEG learnt form interaction with socio-political actors during its field visits and national consultation that though electoral reforms and elections were important, inclusive dialogue and genuine national reconciliation were crucial in eliminating mistrust and lack of confidence which manifest itself as violence in the democratic process. This reoriented the project, placing priority on inclusive dialogue as a major strategic towards resolving the crisis in Togo thus the renaming of the project “Promoting Inclusive Dialogue for National Reconciliation and Democratic Governance”. To demonstrate their resolve to take ownership and be part of the socio-political reconstruction in Togo, Civil Society Organisations (CSO), at a National Consultation organized in December 2005, formed themselves into a Platform with a common agenda to advocate for inclusion in the on-going National Dialogue initiated by President Faure, provide support to the dialogue process by monitoring and making independent, critical but constructive contribution to inform an outcome that is acceptable to all. The Platform, though to not physically present at the Dialogue table, has accompanied the National Dialogue since it was launched by acting as a backstop to the organisations representing civil society organisations at the dialogue table and influencing the discussions by lobbying other stakeholders. The attached message (in French) by the Platform is one of its many inputs to the national dialogue process.

Click here to have the DIALOGUE

WANEP Says Adieu to a Lawyer cum Peacebuilder

WANEP ENDS SUCCESSFUL AGM

The West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) held its 8^th Annual General Meeting (AGM) from January 23 – 27, 2006 at the New Coco Beach Hotel in Accra, Ghana, under the theme, “Consolidating and Sustaining WANEP Institutional Structures.” The AGM brought together over forty delegates from over 12 countries of the sub-region.

One of the highlights of the meeting was the election of a 7-member Board of Directors for the next 2 years. The new professional board replaces a 12-member representative board, which 2-year term just ended.

The new Regional Board is composed[1] of 3 women and 4 men, with Ms. Etweda Cooper as the new Board Chairperson. Ms Cooper took over from Rev. Pr. Emmanuel Anyambod, who is now the Vice Chairperson. WANEP’s first Executive Director, Sam Doe was also elected as a member of the Board.

In the post-election euphoria, Ms. Cooper said, “I am particularly honoured to stand before you as the first female chairperson of WANEP’s Board. I thank you all on behalf of my colleagues and myself for having elected us as members of this professional board… We accept this mantle of leadership that you have given to us. We promise you that we will faithfully serve you all, in ensuring that WANEP reaches its peak.”

Etweda Cooper is the first woman to chair this leading sub-regional network of over 430 member organizations.

The new board pledged to continue working with, and supporting the Executive Director to further strengthen WANEP’s structures and ensure that it continues to effectively carry out its mandate.

Welcoming the new regional board, the Executive Director, Mr. Emmanuel Bombande congratulated them and equally assured them of the cooperation of his team both at the regional and national secretariats.

Mr. Bombande recapitulated the successes and challenges of 2005 and wished for WANEP a “renew energy and strength in 2006 to work even harder for peace in West Africa.”

Closing the 5-day long meeting, the Vice Chairperson of the outgoing board, Mr. Zewuze Abotsi recalled all the journey of the staff both at the national and regional secretariats in 2005. He reminded us that WANEP’s place in West Africa is undeniable in sustaining peace. He emphasized that the distinguishing awards conferred on WANEP’s Executive Director, M. Emmanuel Bombande is a testimony of our commitment and dedication for our beloved sub-region.

The election of the new board, the adoption and internalization of the Strategic Plan for 2006-2008 completed WANEP’s restructuring process. A donor’s meeting to fundraise for the implementation of the Strategic Plan is scheduled for February 24, 2006, at The Hague in The Netherlands.

[1] Board Chairperson: Ms. Etweda Cooper; Vice-Chairperson: Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Anyambod; Others: Ms. Pauline Yameogo, Dr. Lydia Umar, Mr. Michel Mian, Mr. Sam Doe and Fr. Joseph Gomis.

Jacob Enoh-Eben

Regional Coordinator
Communication/Peace Monitoring Centre.

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WANEP Holds 8th Annual General Meeting

Over forty delegates will be converging in Accra, Ghana from January 23 – 27, 2006 for the 8th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the West African Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP).

This year’s meeting is being held at the New Coco Beach Hotel under the theme, “Consolidating and Sustaining WANEP Institutional Structures.” The AGM will bring together representatives of WANEP’s twelve national networks as well as staff members, and partner organizations.

The goal of the 2006 AGM is to complete the WANEP restructuring process to ensure the effective implementation of its mandate and strengthen its mechanisms of transparency, accountability and good governance.

A major highlight of the meeting will be the adoption and internalization of WANEP’s second Strategic Plan 2006-2008. The peacebuilding practitioners will share experiences on how to integrate Human Security approach into peacebuilding.

Over the course of the 5 days, delegates will address the issues of coordination and interdependence between the National Networks and the Regional Secretariat. Emphasis will be put on effective management skills and professional behaviors in the field and practice of peacebuilding.

WANEP’s Board Chairperson, Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Anyambod, will deliver the keynote speech, while the Executive Director, Mr. Emmanuel Bombande will lead the presentation of the annual financial and narrative reports.

Jacob Enoh-Eben

Regional Coordinator
Communication/Peace Monitoring Centre.

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WANEP initiates a Civil Society Consultation with Political Actors to enhance National Dialogue in Togo.

The Statement issued at the end of the consultation

As part of its efforts to mainstream inclusive and democratic dialogue to prevent violent conflicts, WANEP organized a consultation from the 5^th to 8^th December for over forty Social and Political actors in Togo. Holding under the theme “Togolese socio-political actors in the development of a shared vision for the prevention of violent conflict in Togo” the consultation created space for civil society actors and political parties to discuss and reflect on the content, form and process for inclusive national dialogue and reconciliation. The consultation was facilitated by WANEP in partnership with the Institute of Democratic Governance (IDEG). Representatives of civil society organizations, political parties including the ruling party, the former Prime Minister of Togo, the ECOWAS Zonal Bureau Head for Zone IV (Benin, Togo and Nigeria) and representatives from international agencies including CARITAS participated in the event.

WANEP-Executive Director, Emmanuel Bombande, remarked during the opening ceremony that Togo has an opportunity to strengthen inclusive dialogue in order to effectively address its internal socio-political crises and build lasting peace. This opportunity, he explained can be maximized by ensuring that the process of national dialogue involves many more actors. Mr. Bombande said that WANEP and IDEG, as regional civil society organizations, have therefore taken the step to accompany the Togolese civil society organizations by facilitating the consultation so that they can make a positive contribution to the process of democratic and inclusive dialogue in Togo. He expressed the hope that with the participation of the many partners, political actors, regional organizations, the consultation, if constructively engaged in, will contribute significantly to the search for lasting peace by dealing with the past through shared responsibility to heal and to promote national reconciliation.

The representative of the Minister for Human Rights, Democracy and Reconciliation, Mr. Bawi Bagnane Wentarba who officially opened the consultation, appreciated the need for Togo to mobilize the efforts and the knowledge of its people in order to develop and regain its pride as a nation. Referring to the National Dialogue launched by the government of Togo since November 18 2005, Mr. Wentarba reiterated the government’s support for initiatives such the consultation organized by WANEP.

At the end of the four days the participants, having done a frank and analytical reflection of the realities in Togo, formed a platform to engage themselves actively in the process of National Dialogue as well as promote human security and sustainable peace. They made a declaration of their commitment to engage socio-political actors and the government in the construction of lasting peace in the country.

The first phase of the consultation resulting in a Civil Society Platform was funded by the French Foreign Ministry under the Global Partnership for Armed Conflict Prevention (GPPAC) while the Dutch Government through its Embassy in Ghana is supporting WANEP efforts at contributing to the process of National Dialogue and building peace.

Victoria Kunbour

Civil Society Policy and Advocacy Coordinator

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Government of Ghana Commends WANEP

Two Ministerial Departments in Ghana have commended WANEP for its constructive contribution to Bombande with Minister, Papa Owusu-Ankoma @ the Ministry of Interior peace and security in Ghana, and West Africa at large. The commendations were made recently when a WANEP delegation, led by its Executive Director, Emmanuel Bombande, paid courtesy calls to the Ministries of Interior and Foreign Affairs.

The courtesy calls were, among others, to officially congratulate Ghana for being elected as a non-permanent member of the Security Council. It also aimed at creating awareness on the Global Action Agenda (GAA) that came out of the July 2005 Global Conference for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC). The meetings also explored opportunities that will inform how civil society organizations support the work of the Government of Ghana in regards to the UN Resolution 1625 which endorses civil society groups’ participation in conflict prevention.

At the Ministry of the Interior, the Hon. Minister, Papa Owusu-Ankoma appreciated the role Civil Society continues to play in conflict prevention. He said he had followed closely the work of WANEP, especially in Bombande with Ambassador Kobina Wudu @ the Foreign Ministry Northern Ghana, and urged WANEP not to hesitate to call his attention to situations of potential conflicts before they escalate. On his part, the Acting Chief Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Kobina Wudu, reiterated government’s recognition of the role of civil society in policy elaboration and implementation.

In response, WANEP pledged its commitment to positively support the government in its responsibility to ensure peace and security in the country. WANEP presented copies of the Global Action Agenda and the book “People Building Peace II” to each of the Ministries.

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Gender/Women Ministries and Women’s Groups Enhance Capacity on Peace and Security Issues

A capacity building training workshop on conflict analysis, mediation, negotiation and policy influencing peace and security issues for gender ministries and women’s groups is underway at the Cresta Royale Hotel in Accra Ghana. Organised by the Centre for Conflict Resolution (CCR) South Africa, in collaboration with the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) the workshop brings together 18 representatives gender ministries and women’s group from countries of the Manu River Union - Cote d’Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, - and Ghana.

The major aims of the workshop include assisting the participants understand the dynamics of conflicts in order to develop strategies for response; providing participants with an analytical framework to develop skills in identifying, analyzing and monitoring peace and conflict indicators; and understanding the values and benefits of collaboration as well as cooperative negotiation strategies and skills. At the end of the training participants are expected to have enhanced their capacity to apply these issues in the implementation of their mandates.

Opening the workshop, the Executive Director of WANEP, Mr. Emmanuel Bombande recalled the central and leadership role that women have been playing during times of violent conflicts and wars. “Notwithstanding their achievements, there is still a lot more to be done”, Mr Bombande reiterated. While appreciating the emerging relationship between CCR and WANEP, the Millennium Peace Award Winner said it is an exemplary way of African institutions taking ownership of peacebuilding in the continent.

In her opening remarks, the representative of CCR, Ms Thelma Ekiyor said capacity building for women is an integral part of CCR’s programme for civil society in the specialized area of peace and security. “There has been a lot of recognition and rhetoric about women’s role in peacebuilding, but not a lot of emphasis on how women are placed in this male-dominated area. Even when women want to be involved, they lack the practical skills,” Ms Ekiyor said. It is for this reason, she explained, that the workshop is in line with CCR’s programming, especially in building the capacity of female parliamentarians, gender ministers and women’s groups.

This is the second workshop of its kind organized this year, as WANEP and CCR forge a partnership. The first was a organized for gender ministries and women’s groups in the Senegambia region (Guinea Bissau, The Gambia and Senegal). The two workshops fall within the framework of WANEP’s Women in Peacebuilding Program (WIPNET).

Since 2004, WIPNET has been mobilizing grassroots women and building their capacity to play active and visible roles in promoting human security through an ideology known as Women’s Peace Activism. With the gains and lessons learned made in the last four years, WIPNET has began a process of emnaging top-level technocrats and policy-makers in the process.

WIPNET also calls for the domestication and implementation of international protocols and instruments that mandate women’s inclusion in this field. The UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, constitutes an important working document in this regard and is a key working document in the workshop. Passed in 2000, “it is the first resolution ever passed by the Security Council that specifically addresses the impact of war on women, and women’s contribution to conflict resolution and sustainable peace.”

Jacob Enoh-Eben

Regional Coordinator

Communication/Peace Monitoring Centre

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Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Training Workshop

October 3 - 12, 2005

WANEP staff at the training workshop A short course on Performance Monitoring and Evaluation was held from October 3-12, at Elmina, in Ghana. It brought together 27 members of staff from the WANEP national and regional secretariats, member organizations, four ECOWAS Zonal Bureau Heads and one representative of ECOWAS Secretariat. It was organized by WANEP in collaboration with the Capable Partners Program (CAP) and Management Systems International (MSI) and sponsored by USAID.

The aim of the course was to enable these peacebuilding practitioners to better understand and explain theories of change and develop clear statements of results. It also aimed to enable the practitioners set realistic targets and formulate appropriate indicators to monitor and evaluate the performance of various peacebuilding projects and programs.

Course participants were taken through nine different modules, amongst which were: managing results, program and project design, performance monitoring, data collection and analysis, reporting and evaluation.

Though 27 participants attended the course, all 429 member organizations of WANEP are expected to benefit directly from it. Therefore, the last three days focused on enhancing the capacity of a selected group in a Training of Trainers session. Each of the 12 national networks had two participants as trainers. According to the action plans developed, the first replication sessions will kick off in November this year and end in July 2006.

At the end of the session, lead trainer, Molly Hageboeck, from MSI, expressing her satisfaction affirmed, A cross-section of ECOWAS “All the trainees now have the basics to begin applying professional monitoring. If they begin applying it to their individual projects, the training will have a better impact.”

Corroborating the MSI trainer, Chukwuma Ume, a participant from Nigeria, reassured that with his co-trainer, Mrs Naomi Akpan-Ita, they were confident of passing on the knowledge to all the network members.

Apart from the intellectual knowledge, each of the country teams returned home with electronic and printed copies of Monitoring and Evaluation resource materials provided by Capable Partners Program for all 429 member organizations of WANEP.

Expressing his appreciation for the warm collaboration with CAP, WANEP’s Executive Director, Emmanuel Bombande emphasized that the multiplier effect of the training cannot be quantified, as the benefits will be both direct and indirect.

Jacob Enoh Eben

Communication/Peace Monitoring Centre

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WANEP’s Executive Director, Emmanuel Bombande, Wins Peace Award

August 19, 2005

Emmanuel Bombande, Executive Director and co-founder of the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), has been awarded the Millennium Excellence Peace Award 2005 at a grand ceremony held at the Accra International Conference Center. Mr. Bombande was given the award in recognition of his dedication “to using peace methods to ensure the co-existence of all in our society”.

The UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, was awarded the Global Excellence award, the highest award in Ghana for his efforts to promote world peace to eliminate poverty and disease.

Receiving the Award, Mr. Bombande said Ghanaians have the alternative choice of non-violence in resolving conflicts. He called on all Ghanaians to work hard to sustain the peace in the country. Mr. Bombande dedicated the Award to the hard working staff of WANEP.

The awarding of the Millennium Excellence Awards is a national event held every five years to honour Ghanaian men and women who have excelled in advancing such causes as peace, gender balance, agriculture, education and science, rural development, and industrial development.
The award is bestowed by Ghana's Excellence Awards Foundation, a private institution established in 1999.

The Ceremony is the climax of a process of nomination and short-listing of candidates and voting by eligible Ghanaians who have voter ID numbers. To ensure credibility of the results voter ID numbers were verified by the National Electoral Commission of Ghana. Nominees under the Peace category included Gen. Emmanuel Erskine, Archbishop Palmer Buckle, Dr. Afari Djan, African Security Dialogue and Research, Rev. Dr. Bishop Aboagye Mensah, ACP Kofi Aboagye. Mr. Bombande emerged winner.

Mr. Bombande is a Peacebuilding Practitioner, International Trainer in Conflict Mitigation and Prevention across Africa and beyond with a strong background in conflict analysis. He has contributed relentlessly to conflict prevention and peacebuilding across the sub-region, especially in Ghana. A Ghanaian and a native of Bawku, he plays a significant role in building capacity for community-based conflict prevention, mitigation, management and resolution. Since the 1990s Mr. Bombande has availed his conflict analytical and medication skills to resolving the Northern Ghana multi-ethnic hostilities, the Bawku Chieftaincy crisis, the Dagbon inter-clan disputes and currently, the Nkonya-Alavanyo conflict.

Beyond numerous contributions through media, Mr. Bombande brings to the policy domain, a civil society perspective and expertise to support government’s effort in building peace in conflict-prone communities. He is a member of the Special Committee set up by the Government of Ghana to promote peace in the Northern Region. As his contribution to good governance, he provides objective and insightful analysis on issues of peace and security whenever he is called upon to do so.

Mr. Bombande smoothly blends practice and academia as he teaches at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Center (KAIPTC), Legon Center for International Affairs (LECIA), the West Africa Peacebuilding Institute (WAPI), and a member of a team of experts conducting training in peacebuilding world with Caritas International. He holds a Masters Degree in Conflict Transformation from the Eastern Mennonite University, USA.

Emmanuel’s recognition is an affirmation of the significant contribution of civil organizations for peacebuilding in Ghana and across the sub-region.

Victoria Kunbour and Jacob Enoh-Eben

WANEP

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Civil Society Hold Landmark Conference on Conflict Prevention at UN Headquarters

July 29, 2005

“Conflict prevention indeed is possible. We need systematic collaboration… to monitor situations and develop effective strategies to prevent and transform violent conflicts,” stated Emmanuel Bombande, Executive Director of WANEP and leader of the West Africa Delegation to the Global Conference for the Prevention of Armed Conflict.

In a regional message to the conference, Mr. Bombande remarked that, “systems need to be rooted in the unique knowledge and capacities of local people in conflict-affected communities while emphasizing that the ownership of the process of peacebuilding resides in these communities.”

He gave this message to the over 800 civil society leaders who gathered at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from July 19-21, to discuss how civil society can best collaborate with the UN to “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war” and to advocate for policy change in the area of human security.

A twenty-member delegation, led by WANEP (West Africa Network for Peacebuilding) represented West Africa at this largest gathering ever held by Civil Society Organizations engaged in conflict prevention and peacebuilding. The Global Action Agenda for the Prevention of Violent Conflict was presented to the UN Secretary General, represented by the Special Adviser, Mr. Stephen Stedman.

In a message to the conference , the Secretary General, Mr. Kofi Annan, accepting the completed Global Action Agenda for the Prevention of Violent Conflict, admitted that, “violent conflict is a ‘threat multiplier’, not only within the country of where it happens, but beyond. None of us can afford to wait passively until it erupts.” He therefore, reiterated the need for the creation of a sustainable network of individuals and groups- including partnerships with governments and UN agencies-committed to prevention and peacebuilding at global, regional, and national levels.

Members of the WANEP delegation played key roles such as resources persons in various thematic group discussions: Early Warning and Early Response, Women in Peacebuilding, and Civilian Peace-Keeping. For the West Africa delegation, the highlight of the Conference was when Ms. Thelma Ekiyor, the founder and pioneer Regional Coordinator of the WANEP Women in Peacebuilding Program (WIPNET) was presented with the one of the first two copies of the book “People Building Peace”, in which she contributed a chapter. Ms. Ekiyor was honored for her contribution toward the advancement of women’s involvement in peacebuilding process in West Africa.

Recounting the story and phenomenal growth of WIPNET from 10 women to thousands of women groups spanning 12 countries in West Africa, Ms. Ekiyor explained, “we started with nothing but sheer grit and conviction that we could contribute to constructive change in our sub-region… We believed and still do that if we advocated for peace in our communities it could be a platform for addressing all other injustices that plagued not only women but all West Africans.”

In a closing remark to the conference, Mr. Ibrahim Gambari, Under Secretary-General for Political Affairs emphasized that development must be regarded as the “first line of defense” in defusing potential conflicts and building world peace. He however warned that the need for global solutions and strong global institutions must not divert attention from the need to understand individual regions, countries and societies and appreciate local history and culture.

The landmark conference held under the theme: “From Reaction to Prevention: Civil Society Forging Partnerships to Prevent Violent Conflict and Build Peace,” was initiated by the European Centre for the Prevention of Armed Conflict, and co-sponsored by the United Nations Department for Political Affairs.

For further information on this conference, please visit GPPAC online at www.conflict-prevention.net and WANEP at www.wanep.org, or contact the WANEP Regional Secretariat located at Ampomah House, 37-Dzorwulu Road Accra.

Tel: +233-21-221318/221388

Fax: +233-21-221735

Victoria Kumbour and Jacob Enoh-Eben

WANEP

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Opening Statement at the GPPAC Conference.

July 19, 2005

We need systematic collaboration between the United Nations, Regional Organizations such as the example in West Africa between the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) and Civil Society Organizations led by the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), at headquarters and in the field to monitor situations and develop effective strategies to prevent and transform violent conflict. Systems need to be rooted in the unique knowledge and capacities of local people in conflict-affected communities while emphasizing that ownership of the process of Peacebuilding resides in these communities.

Statement by Emmanuel Bombande, Exec. Director, WANEP.

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WANEP Leads West African Delegation to UN Conference

July 15, 2005

WANEP is leading a 20-member delegation from across West Africa to New York, to participate in the United Nations Global Conference for the Prevention of Armed Conflict, holding from July 19-21, 2005. The conference, which is organized under the theme: “From Reaction to Prevention: Civil Society Forging Partnerships to Prevent Conflict and Build Peace,” will be opened by the UN Secretary General, Mr. Kofi Annan.

As the West African regional initiator for the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC), WANEP will present the West African Regional Action Agenda to the Conference. The Regional Agenda recognizes the magnitude of destruction caused by violent conflicts in the sub-region and recommends proactive solutions for civil society organizations, governments and the international community, to mitigate and resolve violent conflicts. The agenda, together with others from 14 regions around the world, form the basis of the Global Action Agenda for the prevention of Armed Conflict. The Global Action Agenda is a call by civil society for a profound and fundamental change of approach by governments towards conflict: to acknowledge civil society contribution to conflict prevention and to work with them in building a safer and more peaceful world.

The GPPAC process was initiated by the European Centre for Conflict Prevention (ECCP), in response to Recommendation 27 of the Secretary General’s Report on the Prevention of Armed Conflict. The West African Agenda was adopted in Accra last August 30 - September 2, 2004 during a regional conference held under the theme, “Consolidating the Role of Civil Society in Promoting Good Governance and Preventing Violent Conflicts.” Each of the fourteen (14) countries that participated at the Accra regional meeting will form part of the West African delegation.

The Executive Director of WANEP, Mr. Emmanuel Bombande will lead the delegation. Ghana’s Deputy Minister for Lands Mines and Forestry, Mrs. Theresa Tagoe, is also part of the delegation.

Established in 1998, the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding, WANEP, is a sub-regional organisation based in Accra, Ghana, with National Offices in 12 across West Africa countries, and a network of over 387 member organisations spread out in West Africa including Cameroon.

Tel: +233-21-221318/221388

Fax: +233-21-221735

Jacob Enoh-Eben

Communications Coordinator

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Appel à la non violence pour des élections paisibles

21 Avril 2005

Le compte à rebours a commencé pour les differents candidats aux élections présidentielles du 24 avril 2005. Les supputations vont bon train dans differents les états majors. Les sondages vont bon train. Un seul peuple, une seule nation, une même destinée. L’attente de toute un peuple, de toute une sous-région et de tout un continent est grande.

Les violences enrégistrées lors des campagnes électorales font augurer d’un lendemain malheureux. Et pourtant la violence est le choix des gens qui ne peuvent plus penser qu’il y a d’autres alternatives pour faire entendre leur voix.

Depuis l’annonce de la tenue des élections présidentelles pour le 24 Avril 2005 par la CEDEAO, la corde de la division devient de plus en plus sensible entre les acteurs de la vie politique au Togo.

L’histoire des élections dans la sous-région : au Libéria, en Sierra Léone et en Côte d’ivoire a démontré qu’au lieu d’être une opportunité de promotion de la Paix, les élections ont été les causes de violents conflits, de destruction , de division et d’aliénation des peuples. La violence apparaît comme telle être le choix des gens qui ne peuvent plus penser qu’il existe d’autres alternatives pour faire partager leur vision et se faire entendre raison. Peuple Togolais vas tu rejoindre l’histoire de ces peuples ? La violence ne doit pas être ton choix !!!

L’Afrique et particulièrement l’Afrique de l’Ouest dans le concert des nations développées est toujours en quête de son équilibre social gage d’un développement durable. L’Afrique dans cette quête continue de chercher des solutions aux multiples défis que sont la famine, la malnutrition, le paludisme, le choléra et le Sida. Ces points d’intérêts sont loin de bénéficier de l’attention et du soutien de nos dirigeants malgré leurs efforts pour les solutionner. Devons –nous permettre que d’autres défis viennent s’y ajouter ? La violence ne doit pas être votre choix car la violence appelle la violence.

Depuis l'élection présidentielle du 1er juin 2003 - et bien avant d'ailleurs - la vie politique est amorphe au Togo. Le pays est isolé diplomatiquement et économiquement et les répercussions de cette situation sur la vie des populations sont dramatiques. La rupture entre le pouvoir en place et ses opposants est totale et n’a été à l’avantage de personne. Le grand perdant est le peuple togolais. La violence ne doit pas être votre choix.

WANEP croit que tout n’est pas encore perdu et qu’il existe une autre alternative pour obtenir ce que l’on veut. La méthode non-violente pourrait être cette alternative qui permettrait à toutes les parties concernées à s’écouter et à trouver les solutions pour une transformation sociale progressive et durable.

La culture de la promotion de la paix ne doit pas être le seul apanage des gouvernants ou des partis politiques. La société civile a une mission qui a besoin d’être définie afin de capitaliser ces nombreuses initiatives. La recherche de la paix au Togo est un idéal pour tous. Les initiatives des acteurs de la société civile depuis 2002 dans la recherche de solution à la crise politique, les responsables des médias, les acteurs politiques, les réligieux, les responsables traditionnels et les groupes structurés des jeunes doivent tous se disposer autour de la jarre percée que représente le Togo pour boucher chaque trou.

C’est vrai qu’une élection perdue fait mal mais il faut, à la fin de la course un gagnant et un perdant. Les partis politiques doivent se mettre en tête cette réalité pour accepter les résultats des urnes. La violence appelle la violence et c’est le peuple qui sera le grand perdant.

La violence ne serait pas et n’est d’ailleurs pas la solution.L’Afrique de l’Ouest et particulièrement le Togo n’en ont plus besoin.

La paix actuelle au Togo est plus convoitée que toute situation de conflit armé.

La stabilité au Togo dans une sous-région déjà embrasée est vivement souhaitée.

WANEP invite donc le peuple Togolais à des élections paisibles, transparentes et sans heurts.

WANEP invite également la communauté internationale à s’engager activement pour sauvegarder les intérêts du peuple togolais et lui faire éviter une situation plus difficile et complexe dès la proclamation des résultats. Restons donc tous unis pour faire gagner la démocratie et la paix pour un développement rapide du Togo.

Emmanuel Bombande

Directeur Exécutif

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WANEP Holds 7^th AGM on the theme: ‘Consolidating the WANEP restructuring process’

January 31^st, 2005

The West African Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) held its seventh annual general meeting in January 24-28, at the Regency Hotel in Accra, Ghana. About forty (40) delegates participated, representing WANEP’s twelve national networks, staff, and partner organizations.

Opening the meeting WANEP’s Board Chairperson, Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Anyambod, stated that, “as it is customary with every organization, its growth and continuous success is based on its ability to continually evaluate itself, restructure in order to consolidate its resources for better performance and meeting up with new challenges.”

Rev. Dr. Anyambod explained that the theme for the meeting, “Consolidating the WANEP restructuring process,” was the peak of the restructuring process WANEP embarked upon in 2004 to reflect its rapid growth, in size and in program, and its visibility in the sub-region and beyond. At the 2004 AGM, a new organizational structure was adopted while a new board was elected. The organisation’s preoccupation during the year was to implement the new structure as well as ensure the functioning of institutional systems and procedures from the national level to the regional secretariat. According to the Board Chairman the restructuring process signified WANEP’s commitment to efficient and effective re-organization in order to play a constructive role in peace, security, good governance and democratization issues.

Re-echoing this commitment, WANEP’s Executive Director, Emmanuel Bombande, emphasized that managing WANEP’s growth is critical in sustaining and improving on its achievement. Mentioning a few of the accomplishments, the Director said, WANEP has 12 national offices out of the 15 West African countries; it’s the lead agency in peace and security in the emerging West Africa Civil Society Forum; it’s the West Africa Regional Initiator for the Global Partnership for Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC); it has a wide, vibrant and influential network of women in peacebuilding across the sub-region. In addition, WANEP has signed an MOU with ECOWAS to provide technical assistance in the “Operationalisation of the ECOWAS conflict prevention and Early Warning Mechanism.”

The Executive Director recognized and appreciated the support and collaboration of partners to enable WANEP to achieve its noble mission.

By the end of the AGM it was agreed to develop five-year Business, Financial and Strategic plans for WANEP. This followed a 3-day working session that preceded the AGM. The Business plan would facilitate the execution of the strategic and operational plans. The WANEP regional strategic plan is informed by those of the national networks. Meanwhile, the general assembly began the task of categorizing the WANEP national networks according their context realities. The annual gathering ended with the assembly embarking on a book publishing project: “WANEP and the Challenge of Peacebuilding in West Africa”.

Jacob ENOH EBEN

Program Coordinator

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West Africa Civil Society Hold Conference on Good Governance and Conflict Prevention

August 26, 2004

The West Africa Network for Peacebuilding, WANEP, is organising a four-day Sub-Regional Civil Society conference on the theme; “Civil Society Promoting Good Governance and Preventing Violent Conflicts”. The main aim of the conference is to stimulate discussions among civil society organizations to identify the challenges they encounter in preventing conflicts, in order to develop strategies for an integrated and coherent approach to conflict prevention thereby strengthening civil society’s participation in good governance.

The conference that holds from the Monday 30^th August to Thursday 2^nd September, 2004, at the Hotel Royal Ravico, Accra, Ghana, will bring together participants from all the member countries of ECOWAS. The United Nations Office in West Africa, ECOWAS as well as Peacebuilding partners from Europe will attend. Ghana’s Minister for Regional Integration and NEPAD, Dr. Konadu Apraku will open the conference at 10: am on Monday 30^th August. Apart from bringing together Civil Society actors to share experiences and contribute to the West Africa Civil Society Forum activities supported by ECOWAS, the conference will develop a regional action agenda as part of the process of the Global partnership for Conflict Prevention (GPPAC).

Established since 1998, the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding, WANEP, is a sub-regional organisation based Accra, Ghana, with National Offices in 12 West Africa countries, with a membership of over 300 member organisations spread out in West Africa including Cameroon. For the past two years WANEP with a support grant from the United States Agency for International Development – West Africa Regional Program (USAID-WARP) and a strategic partnership with the Catholic Relief Services - West Africa Regional Office (CRS-WARO) have been working closely with ECOWAS on capacity building program for Conflict Prevention, Peacebuilding and Good Governance.

For further information on this conference, please visit our websit at www.wanep.org or contact the WANEP Regional Secretariat located at Ampomah House on the 37-Dzowulu Road Accra.

Tel: +233-21-221318/221388

Fax: +233-21-221735

Victoria KUMBOUR (Mrs).

WANEP-CSO Desk Coordinator

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ECOWAS signs Memorandum of Understanding with WANEP to cooperate on Conflict Prevention, Management, Resolution, Peacebuilding and Good Governance

February 19, 2004

A Memorandum of Understanding has recently been signed between the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) the West African Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), “to cooperate regularly on matters of conflict prevention, management, resolution, peacebuilding and good governance.”

The Memorandum of Understanding whose strategic objective aims at achieving a Capacity Building in Conflict Prevention and Good Governance for ECOWAS and Civil Society Organizations in West Africa, was signed at the ECOWAS Secretariat in Abuja, Nigeria, between the Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, Executive Secretary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and Mr. Samuel Gbaydee Doe, Executive Director of the West African Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP).

During the signing ceremony witnessed by the funding partners, the United State Agency for Development, the Catholic Relief Services, high-ranking diplomats of the international community represented in Abuja,… the ECOWAS Executive Secretary, Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, expressed his satisfaction at such an historic event in the life of ECOWAS in furthering Inter-Governmental and Civil Society cooperation. He said, “……”

The ECOWAS Protocol of 10^th December 1999, relating to the Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management, Resolution, Peacekeeping and Security and the Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance endorsed by the Heads of State on 21^st December 2001, was in recognition of the growing socio-political instability expressed as violent conflicts and their negative impact on regional cooperation and economic development.

Therefore the ECOWAS engagement with WANEP is equally in recognition of the pivotal roles Civil Society organizations and groups are playing in addressing peace and security issues, good governance as well as social and economic development in its Member countries.

On his part, Mr. Samuel Gbaydee Doe, Executive Director of WANEP, hailed…..

In order to achieve the strategic objective aimed at, “Improving early detection and response mechanisms of ECOWAS and enhance the capacity of regional Civil Society groups to detect and response to conflict,” a two-year award was grant to the Catholic Relief Services – West Africa Regional Office and the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding, by the United States Government, through its Agency for International Development (USAID).

WANEP is has over 300 member organizations operating through national networks of organizations active in conflict resolution, management, resolution, peacebuilding, and human rights monitoring and advocacy in 12 ECOWAS member countries. Its secretariat is based in Accra Ghana.

Zebulon TAKWA SUIFON

WANEP ECOWAS

Liaison Officer

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