|
 Background
The SWAC launched in 2003, together with ENDA-Diapol and the National Borders Directorate of Mali, the West African Borders and Integration (WABI) Initiative. Within the framework of WABI, the SWAC supports four cross-border co-operation pilot operations which are implemented by local partners under the auspices of ECOWAS. Drawing on these field experiences, various cross-border communications tools were developed for local and regional actors (www.afriquefrontieres.org; cross-border diaries, information sheets, etc.). The SWAC also contributed to the development of the ECOWAS Cross‐border Initiatives Programme (CIP) and facilitated the elaboration of a regional legal framework for cross-border projects.
Objectives
The ECOWAS Commission’s and the SWAC Secretariat’s shared objective is for cross-border co-operation to be expanded to all areas at the request of local actors, on community borders and borders with non-member countries. In 2010, all of the West African cross-border co-operation support mechanisms should be established in West Africa.
SWAC Work on Cross-border Co-operation
The SWAC conducted various activities in support of cross-border dynamics. For a complete presentation on the SWAC's Work on Cross-border Co-operation, please download the SWAC's Information Note.
-
Cross-border Pilot Operations: The SWAC fostered the creation of four cross-border co-operation pilot operations which were implemented by local partners under the auspices of ECOWAS. They are based on already existing border activities. > learn more
-
Development of a Regional Strategy: Between 2005 and 2007, the local cross-border co-operation initiative acquired the status of a regional integration strategy in West Africa and Africa. A draft West African legal convention on cross-border co-operation to which the SWAC Secretariat contributed will be presented at the end of 2008 at the Heads of Member State Summit.
-
The Cross-border Diaries, a quarterly magazine, describe local cross-border realities in West Africa, aiming to stimulate dialogue between local actors and institutional representatives to foster regional integration processes building on concrete co-operation projects. > learn more
-
Various WABI documents and information sheets describe field experiences or summarise the progress of pilot operations and workshops co-organised by the SWAC and its partners. They also set out experiences carried out in other parts of the world (Europe, Southern Africa, etc.). WABI publications can be downloaded from the WABI Website.
-
The WABI Website: www.afriquefrontieres.org compiles information on cross-border dynamics including WABI publications, press articles and external resources. 41 broadcasts are also available (to be downloaded or listened to) on the site. There are interviews, speeches and presentations of West African cross-border initiatives. The “On the ground” section provides information on the four ongoing pilot operations.
Achievements
Significant progress has been made:
- There is now a regional strategy (and even AU- continental). ECOWAS has included cross-border co-operation in its 2007-2010 Strategic Plan and has created a service responsible for cross-border co-operation.
- Cross-border co-operation is officially included in several donors’ priorities (Austria, European Commission, Germany, Sweden, in particular).
- Through this work, local actors “are entering into” the regional integration process: ECOWAS (like UEMOA, the African Union, and even the CEEAC by dissemination) to be closer to the West African populations and be more attentive to the real issues.
Challenges
- Pursuing strategic thinking on the feasibility of a sufficiently flexible cross-border co-operation financing mechanism to enable field operators to directly receive funds (this type of contract already exists between the European Commission and ECOWAS);
- The adoption of the Cross-border Co-operation Convention by ECOWAS Heads of State. This shall provide the political and legal fundamentals essential to extending this grass-roots regional co-operation tool.
- Implementing a regional cross-border co-operation policy once the Convention is adopted.
Next Steps
After five years of successful work with local and regional partners, the SWAC will capitalise on achievements and pursue its support to local cross-border actors through its various communication products (cross-border diaries, WABI website, etc.). It will also provide continued support to the implementation of the four pilot operations. In addition, the SWAC will focus on the following activities:
-
Compilation of a Cross-border Initiatives Directorary, highlighting best practices and lessons learned from various cross-border initiatives in West Africa;
-
Development of cross-border tools for conflict prevention, drawing on the experiences carried out by ENDA Diapol in Sénégambie méridionale (the Gambia, Guinea Bissau and Senegal);
-
Follow up of the CIP process undertaken by ECOWAS and the development of the AU Borders Programme;
-
Technical support to the preparation and management of a meeting of current and potential West African cross-border co-operation “shareholders” (local actors, NGOs who support them, donors who finance them, governments, regional organisations, etc.), to be held by end-January 2009 in Abuja (Nigeria).
|
Web Atlas on Regional Integration
West African Borders & Integration Initiative
