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New Reports: Political & Security Challenges in West Africa

July 16, 2012 - Dakar, Senegal

 

International Crisis Group (ICG) and the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA)

organized a series of discussions on July 17^th, 2012 to examine the results of research conducted in four countries in the region (Guinea Bissau, Mali, Liberia and Nigeria)

West Africa has repeatedly been plagued by socio-political crises that risk spilling over into the entire region. To help find solutions, stimulate debate and encourage new prospects for change, the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) and the Project for Monitoring and Advocacy on governance in Africa (AfriMAP) have joined efforts with the International Crisis Group (ICG), to allow for a wider distribution and better use of country reports regularly published by ICG.

“Talibanization”, "Somalization", and "Africanistan” are just some of the expressions now commonly used to characterize the situation currently unfolding across the Sahelian region, and particularly in Nigeria and Mali since the tragic turn of events triggered by the March 22^nd coup d’état in Bamako.  In addition, the more recent coup that took place in Guinea Bissau in April, the separatist Tuareg rebellion and occupation of northern Mali by the Islamist army insurgents allied with the terrorist group AQMI, the series of deadly attacks carried out by Boko Haram, and finally the post-electoral crisis in Liberia are just some of the reasons why a serious reflection on how to bring stability and consolidate democracy into West Africa are both timely and necessary.

The new collaboration between OSIWA and ICG seeks to create a space for discussion on the contents of the four country reports and encourage debate on the political, security and governance challenges facing West Africa. Participants included experts in public and constitutional law and geostrategic issues, academic researchers Professor Ismaila Fall Madior, Babacar Justin Ndiaye and leading ICG analysts Gilles Yabi. The meeting also brought together participants from the diplomatic community, development partners, universities, research institutes, civil society and political parties.

 

To access the policy brief reports:

Mali: Eviter l’Escalade (French only)

Liberia: Time for Much-Delayed Reconciliation and Reform (English only)

Guinee-Bissau: Au dela des Compromis: Les Perspectives de Reforme en Guinee Bissau (French only)

 

Watch the Africable TV Report in French only 

Watch the ICG/ OSIWA Press Conference (50 minutes) in French only