NDC, ECOWAS & US ACSS HOST STRATEGIC LEVEL SEMINAR

By Cdr S Dahun

Security sector stakeholders from ECOWAS member states met recently in Abuja-Nigeria for the 2009 ECOWAS Strategic level Seminar which focused on security sector governance and reform as instruments for promoting regional integration. It was the second in the series of ongoing initiatives to strengthen the capacity of ECOWAS to effectively address the challenges of security and democracy in the region. Among other things, the seminar generated awareness among participants of the urgent need for security sector reform in West Africa by creating a forum that tackles issues of security and democracy, including in transitional or post-conflict societies.

The seminar was also designed to address the strategic issues, risks and major challenges affecting regional efforts at effective conflict prevention and resolution. Participants identified key strategies for generating and sustaining international cooperation and networking in meeting the security challenges of the region. The seminar was organized within the framework of the US policy for enhancing the capacity of African Regional Economic Communities to address their security challenges. It was consistent with, and supportive of, the US overall efforts in this area by allowing ECOWAS Member States to harmonise their views on common security challenges, strengthen their capacity to conduct Peace Support Operations and thereby, enhance security in the region