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The West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) joined regional stakeholders in Abuja, Nigeria, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of ECOWAS and the 20-year partnership between the ECOWAS Early Warning Directorate (EWD) and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs). This high-level meeting reflected on two decades of collaboration in early warning and early response, an area where WANEP has been a cornerstone partner since signing its first Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ECOWAS in 2003. That initial agreement, now formalised as a permanent MoU, continues to guide a relationship that has become a model for regional cooperation in conflict prevention and peacebuilding.
The Abuja event served as both a celebration and a stocktaking exercise. It highlighted the milestones, successes, and lessons learned in two decades of joint work on early warning and response. Discussions focused on the persistent and evolving human security threats across West Africa, the indispensable role of CSOs in addressing these challenges, and the value of local insight and community trust in crafting timely responses. Participants underscored that civil society is now firmly integrated into ECOWAS’ conflict prevention architecture, contributing to information-sharing platforms, joint advocacy, collaborative research, and inclusive regional forums.
WANEP’s presence at the meeting was both visible and substantive, reflecting its status as ECOWAS’ longest-standing civil society partner in early warning. Drawing on more than twenty years of operational experience and strategic engagement, WANEP provided thought leadership in key plenary sessions and technical discussions, offered reflections on lessons learned, and contributed to the design of forward-looking strategies for strengthening early warning and response systems. The organisation’s deep institutional knowledge and extensive regional network enriched the dialogue and reinforced the importance of sustained collaboration between ECOWAS and civil society.
WANEP’s Programme Director & Deputy Executive Director contributing to a panel discussion
The meeting closed with a collective call for action that aligns strongly with WANEP’s mission. Participants agreed that collaboration among CSOs, ECOWAS, the African Union, National Centres for the Coordination of Early Warning and Response Mechanisms (NCCRMs), National Peace Infrastructures, state institutions, and other partners must be deepened to bridge the gap between early warning and early response. They highlighted the need to prioritise inclusiveness by fully integrating youth and women into peace and security initiatives. The importance of institutionalising knowledge through systematic documentation, applied research, and consistent follow-up actions was also underscored. Above all, the gathering reaffirmed that civil society remains an indispensable partner in safeguarding peace and human security in West Africa.
WANEP delegation, including former and current staff, at the ECOWAS @50 anniversary
For WANEP, participation in this anniversary event reinforced its enduring commitment to regional peace and stability. The permanent MoU with ECOWAS remains a cornerstone of this collaboration, enabling a partnership that continues to adapt to new realities and challenges. WANEP’s cooperation with ECOWAS stands as a living example of how civil society and intergovernmental organisations can work hand in hand to prevent conflict and build a secure, peaceful West Africa.
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