Governance, Peace & Security

   > SWAC Work on:

• Governance & Conflict Prevention
• Dynamics of Exit from Crisis,
  Post-Conflict & Development
• Political Dialogue, Peace & Security 

The SWAC's mission in the area of governance and conflict is to contribute to a better understanding of the dynamics of exit from crisis, to build on endogenous governance capacities and to promote policy dialogue between actors of the region fostering peace and democracy.

Background | Methodological Approach | Strategic Questions | Objectives | 

Activities & Results | Projects in 2009 | Contacts

   Background

The building or strengthening of peace and democracy, and the promotion of security in West Africa entails more than only resolving specific conflicts. It requires addressing dynamics of change (demographics, political, economic, cultural, and institutional) which, in West African societies, are at the base of current conflicts and affect exit from crisis procedures. Conflict’s regional and spatial dimensions linked to forced population flows, illicit trade of raw materials and light arms, connections with political elite and rebel groups of neighbouring countries are some of the many factors explaining the duration and spreading of conflict at the local, national, cross-border and regional levels.

   Methodological Approach

The SWAC works with actors of the 18 countries in the region (decision-makers, civil society networks, research institutes, regional and international organisations) through a series of events, forums, workshops roundtables, etc.

   Strategic Questions

The Work Plan focuses on the interaction between questions related to governance and conflict, as well as work on democracy, peace and security. Four strategic questions structure the SWAC's work:

• What are the conflict dynamics in West Africa and their resolution methods?
• What are the endogenous capacities of the region with regard to conflict prevention and governance and how to capitalise and build on them while supporting development of West African countries?
• How to promote a regional approach in support of crisis prevention and resolution strategies and post-conflict reconstruction?
• How to facilitate dialogue between different actors of the region, regional and international institutions in order to synergise the strengthening of democracy, the building of peace and the promotion of security?

   Objectives

• Contribute to a better understanding of dynamics of exit from crisis;
• Capitalise on endogenous governance capacities;
• Promote policy dialogue between actors of the region to foster peace and democracy.

   Activities & Results

Governance & Conflict Prevention

• Launching of the Saly Action Plan on Regional Governance Instruments
• Regional Instruments of Governance and Conflict Prevention 
• Capitalisation on Endogenous Capacities
• Inter-generational Dialogue and Conflict Prevention
• Women and Conflict Prevention

Dynamics of Exit from Crisis, Post-Conflict & Development

• Developing a Regional Policy of Post-conflict Reconstruction
• Regional Working Group on DDR, Post-Conflict and Development
• DDR Regional Approach
• State-Building and Fragile States (French) 

Political Dialogue, Peace & Security

• Evolution of West Africa's Political Situation
• Human Security in West Africa: Challenges for a Regional Agenda
• Civil-Military Dialogue and Reform of the Security Sector

   Projects in 2009

• Launching of the Saly Action Plan on Regional Governance Instruments
• Co-ordinating the Regional Working Group on the DDR and Post-Conflict
• Co-ordinating the Women’s Group and the Youth Co-ordination Group on Conflict Prevention
• Analysis of conflict systems and risk assessment in West Africa

     Contacts: