The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is addressing a range of human security challenges, including violent extremism, conflict, terrorism, transnational organized crime, climate change, epidemics, poverty, inequality, and unconstitutional changes in government. These issues were highlighted by the Vice-President of the ECOWAS Commission, Ms. Damtien Larbli Tchintchibidja, during the opening of the inaugural workshop for the Joint Analysis and Response Planning Working Group (JARP-WG) in Abuja, Nigeria on October 23, 2024.
Ms. Tchintchibidja's message was delivered by Dr. Onyinye Onwuka, Acting Director of Early Warning at the ECOWAS Commission. Dr. Onwuka emphasized that these challenges pose significant threats to regional peace and stability. "Addressing these human security challenges has never been more urgent," said Dr. Onyinye Onwuka.
The three-day JARP-WG workshop gathers directors from national coordination centers for early warning and response mechanisms alongside representatives from various ECOWAS institutions and the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP). The meeting aims to enhance collaboration among stakeholders within ECOWAS member states and beyond.
Participants will focus on two main objectives: strengthening inter-departmental collaboration with key stakeholders such as civil society organizations and international partners; and studying and adopting strategies for joint needs assessment and planning appropriate responses to emergencies.
Dr. Onwuka also urged participants to examine risks and root causes of instability in the region through a holistic approach facilitated by JARP-WG tools developed with support from USAID under the REWARD II project.
Established in May 2022 and launched officially in July 2022 by the ECOWAS Commission, JARP-WG seeks to improve regional capacity to address human security challenges across five thematic areas: security, crime, health, environment, and governance.
Following the workshop's opening ceremony were presentations on early warning issues within ECOWAS delivered by staff members Nanténé Coulibaly, Marcel Bossou, and Tunji Olonode from the Early Warning Department of ECOWAS Commission.
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