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The West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), the Social Science Research Council (SSRC), and the Conflict Research Network (CORN) West Africa hosted a High-Level Policy Dialogue in Accra, Ghana, from 15 to 16 April 2025. The event brought together approximately 80 participants, including key stakeholders such as representatives of ECOWAS, policymakers, civil society actors, analysts, media professionals, and researchers.
The dialogue, which was under the theme “Understanding the Geopolitical and Strategic Changes in West Africa: Emerging Challenges and the Future of ECOWAS,” offered a platform for participants to reflect on ongoing challenges facing ECOWAS in the context of evolving regional dynamics and the geopolitical/geostrategic changes. A major focus of discussion was the withdrawal of the Alliance of Sahel States (Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger) from ECOWAS, and the exploration of strategic pathways towards their reintegration.
Delivering a keynote address, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, Ambassador Dr Abdel-Fatau Musah, reflected on the evolving political landscape in the region. He praised WANEP and its co-conveners for their dedication to peace and stability, stating, “I am not oblivious of the fact that this high-level policy dialogue has been convened at a historic crossroads and consequential moment in the evolution of ECOWAS.” He also lauded the efforts of civil society organisations in resolving crises across West Africa.
In her remarks, Mrs Levinia Addae-Mensah, Executive Director of WANEP, described the timing of the dialogue as “marked by unprecedented dynamics and waves of uncertainties.” She noted, “Our beloved West Africa is confronted with a complex array of challenges that threaten to erode decades of investments in peacebuilding, regional integration, democratic governance, and social cohesion.” She emphasised the urgent need for innovative responses and described the exit of the Alliance of Sahel States as “a profound indicator of the deep fractures that must be confronted with courage, candour, and commitment.”
Mrs. Addae-Mensah further commended the Social Science Research Council’s African Peacebuilding Network (APN) and Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa (Next Gen) programme and CORN West Africa for their longstanding collaboration with WANEP in generating knowledge and supporting dialogue platforms and preventive diplomacy, especially through WANEP’s early warning systems, conflict analysis, policy research, and support to mediation at various levels.
Dr Cyril Obi, Programme Director of the Social Science Research Council’s African Peacebuilding Network (APN) and Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa (Next Gen) programme, called for stronger collaboration between scholars and policymakers in support of ECOWAS’s mission. “This gathering is a place to find solutions, not a place to allocate labels,” he remarked. Dr Obi highlighted the role of the APN and the Next Generation Social Science in Africa programme in not only producing rigorous research, but in linking research to actionable policy. “Ours is not just navel-gazing or blue-sky research, but one with a purpose,” he added.
Dr Timipere Felix Allison, Executive Director of CORN-West Africa, underscored the region’s ongoing transformation and the need for bold, inclusive, and forward-looking solutions. He urged stakeholders to confront ECOWAS’s current challenges with clarity, unity, and a shared sense of purpose.
The event featured a series of panel discussions on key themes such as unconstitutional changes of government, strategies for peace and security in West Africa, and the role of regional, continental, and global partnerships in addressing complex security challenges.
Breakout sessions allowed participants to reflect in smaller groups on ECOWAS’s engagement with the AES bloc, as well as with China, Russia, Gulf States and Western powers. Discussions touched on conflict transformation, regional integration, development, and peacebuilding.
Overall, the dialogue marked a timely and significant convergence of regional expertise and commitment, aimed at fostering peace, reinforcing ECOWAS’s mandate, and exploring sustainable pathways for the reintegration of the Alliance of Sahel States.
The meeting concluded with a jointly developed communiqué outlining key reflections and policy recommendations; click here to access the full communiqué.
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