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The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) recently hosted a Joint Strategic Consultation Meeting to redefine the implementation and management of the ECOWAS Peace Fund (EPF). The three-day event, held from August 27 to 29 in Abuja, Nigeria, brought together partners and stakeholders to address key issues surrounding the Fund’s operational efficiency, achievements, challenges, and the path forward.
The ECOWAS Peace Fund, established under Article 36 of the 1999 Protocol Relating to Conflict Prevention, Management, Resolution, Peacekeeping, and Security, serves as a critical tool to support human security, conflict prevention, peacekeeping, and humanitarian activities across the subregion. The consultation aimed to enhance the Fund’s impact and align its operations with global best practices.
In his opening address, Dr. Cyriaque Pawoumotom, Director of Peacekeeping and Regional Security, spoke on behalf of Dr. Abdel-Fatau Musah, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security. He urged participants to generate innovative ideas to improve the Fund’s effectiveness and align it with the growing peace and security needs of the region.
Leila Ben Amor Mathieu, Head of Human Development at the EU Delegation in Nigeria, highlighted various EU mechanisms available to support the Fund, emphasizing the EU’s commitment to backing ECOWAS initiatives such as the Africa Peace Facility and Early Response Mechanism.
Dieudonne Nikiema, ECOWAS Peace Fund Manager, presented the Fund’s new 5-Year Strategic Plan, which outlines priorities to institutionalize the EPF within ECOWAS. Nikiema emphasized that the consultation was a platform for stakeholders to refine the Fund’s structure and bolster its ability to meet regional security challenges.
The event concluded with a call for continued collaboration between ECOWAS and its partners to ensure that the Peace Fund remains fit-for-purpose. In his closing remarks, Dr. Pawoumotom reiterated the need for strategic reforms to make the Fund more effective in addressing peace and security concerns across member states.
Established in 2006, the ECOWAS Peace Fund has been pivotal in advancing the organization’s peace and security agenda, and this consultation marks a significant step toward strengthening its role in the region.
