ECOWAS, partners discuss new strategies for regional peace fund
ECOWAS was the first Regional Economic Community to set up such a fund.
ABUJA, Nigeria— The Economic Community of West African States has held a three-day meeting to chart a new course for its Peace Fund, a tool designed to finance peace, security and humanitarian activities in the region, writes Winston Mwale.
The Joint Strategic Consultation Meeting, held Aug. 27-29 in Abuja, brought together ECOWAS officials and partners to discuss the fund's mandate, achievements, challenges and future priorities.
Cyriaque Pawoumotom, director of peacekeeping and regional security, urged participants to develop innovative ideas to enhance the fund's efficiency and impact.
"We had three days of productive interactive meetings discussing how to make the ECOWAS Peace Fund work better," Pawoumotom said.
"The objective is to make the fund more effective in supporting the funding of peace and security needs of our member states."
Leila Ben Amor Mathieu, from the European Union delegation in Nigeria, outlined EU mechanisms available to support ECOWAS, expressing willingness to back the peace fund initiative.
Dieudonne Nikiema, the fund's manager, presented a five-year strategic plan, describing it as "the basis for the full operationalization and institutionalization of the EPF within the ECOWAS Commission."
Established under a 1999 protocol, the ECOWAS Peace Fund has supported regional peace and security initiatives since 2006.
ECOWAS was the first Regional Economic Community to set up such a fund.
The meeting's outcomes will be presented to ECOWAS decision-making bodies for further action.