Experts and peacebuilding advocates have sounded a strong warning — West Africa’s growing instability is not just the result of armed violence, but a deeper crisis of governance failure, weak institutions, and exclusionary politics. They insist that lasting peace in the region depends on inclusive leadership, stronger regional cooperation, and community-driven action.
The concern was raised during the West Africa Peace and Security Dialogue (WaPSED 2025) held in Abuja, jointly organised by several regional organisations including the Building Blocks for Peace (BBFORPEACE) Foundation, Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), and the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflicts (GPPAC) West Africa.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, Director-General of IPCR, said West Africa’s recurring issues — from violent extremism and political unrest to climate-related conflicts — expose the urgent need for locally driven strategies. According to him, “Sustainable peace in West Africa requires strong institutions, empowered communities, and peace education integrated into national development frameworks.”
He urged participants to focus on actionable policies rather than endless discussions, warning that the region’s fragility would persist if leaders fail to tackle the root causes of instability.
Similarly, Mr. Rafiu Adeniran Lawal, Executive Director of BBFORPEACE and Regional Coordinator of GPPAC West Africa, highlighted the urgent need for regional solidarity in addressing challenges like banditry, insurgency, and democratic decline. He lamented the resurgence of military coups in countries such as Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea — describing it as a “troubling democratic retreat.”
This year’s dialogue, themed “Reimagining Peace and Security in West Africa: Local Solutions, Regional Solidarity, and Global Partnerships,” aimed to strengthen the role of communities in shaping peace processes. “We must put people, not power, at the centre of peacebuilding,” Lawal said.
Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Isaac Olawale Albert of the University of Ibadan blamed poor governance, corruption, and weak leadership for the region’s insecurity. He explained that the real battle was not against guns but against systemic dysfunctions that have allowed non-state actors to thrive. “The problem is not the lack of weapons but the failure of governance systems. When the state fails its people, others fill the vacuum,” he noted.
Prof. Albert stressed that governments must rebuild trust, invest in local governance structures, and promote accountability if the region hopes to achieve real peace. He also called for stronger collaboration between governments, civil societies, and regional bodies.
The dialogue, attended by policymakers, academics, civil society leaders, and ECOWAS representatives, concluded that rebuilding trust between citizens and governments, promoting transparent governance, and strengthening democracy remain key to reversing West Africa’s rising instability.
