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The Sahel and West Africa Club (SWAC) organised a workshop in Conakry (Guinea), from 9 to 11 March 2005 launching the “Initiative on Capitalising on Endogenous Capacities for Conflict Prevention and Governance”.
Background | Objectives | Topics | Initiative's Role | Participants | Contacts & Documents
 Background
West Africa is a region endowed with significant material and cultural wealth. However, the use of this wealth is compromised by recurrent armed conflicts and crisis in governance that paralyse the functioning of Wst African states and undermine regional stability.West African countries and societies are, among others, characterised by the transnationality of certain cultural values, institutions or traditional approaches to politics. In many societies, the management of social and political contradictions linked to differences is based on a cultural code, mechanisms and strategies intended to limit conflict within the margins of balance of the collective social framework and/or that of the institution.The power of mediation and/or interposition has been passed on to certain social actors (exclusively so or more than others). What are these powers and how can they help prevent and settle current conflicts?
Objectives
Four main objectives were proposed to the workshop participants:
- Identify endogenous capacities as regards governance;
- Bring to the forefront endogenous conflict prevention mechanisms and strategies;
- Indicate the types of actions likely to capitalise on these mechanisms and strategies;
- Propose strategies in order to implement them.
Topics
- 1st session: Conflict prevention and regulation method in West Africa: Kinship of Pleasantry;
- 2nd session: Endogenous culture, strategies and mechanisms of mediation;
- 3rd session: Endogenous forms and methods of governance in West Africa;
- 4th session: Synthesis discussion and development of a strategy capitalising on endogenous capacities for conflict prevention and governance.
Initiative’s Role
Mr. Diallo, Head of the SWAC's Governance, Conflit Dynamics, Peace & Security Unit highlighted in his presentation three key points:
- Contextualising governance;
- Involving African actors and notably those in West Africa;
- The need to operationalise governance issues.
Participants
This meeting brought together approximately sixty participants researchers, representatives of civil society, traditionalists, diplomats and state officials from thirteen West African countrie.
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