Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, the African Union’s High Representative of Silencing the Gun, has urged a more dynamic strategy to combat violent extremism and terrorism in West Africa and the Sahel regions. Recognizing the limitations of traditional peacekeeping methods, Dr. Chambas emphasized the need for a comprehensive review and enhancement of existing peace and security protocols.
Speaking at a peacebuilding conference in Accra, organized by the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) under the Research and Action For Peace (REcAP) Network project, Dr. Chambas pointed out the resilience of terrorists, two decades after the adoption of African continental and sub-regional mechanisms for peace, security, democracy, and governance.
The REcAP Network, a collaboration between WANEP, the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), and the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), is funded by the EU. It focuses on preventing conflicts and violent extremism in West Africa and the Lake Chad Basin.
The conference’s theme, “Unifying for Stability: Addressing Violent Extremism Amidst Political Uncertainties In West Africa and Lake Chad Basin,” attracted experts from various fields. These included political scientists, governance experts, security specialists, and policymakers who engaged in discussions, sharing insights and recommendations for countering violent extremism.
According to a report by the Daily Graphic, Dr. Chambas highlighted the critical link between poverty, underdevelopment, and regional instability. He stressed the importance of reforms to process raw materials domestically, creating jobs and wealth for national development and stability.
Addressing external influences, Dr. Chambas cautioned against desires for regime change, linking the current Sahel crisis to instability in Libya.
WANEP’s Deputy Executive Director, Levinia Addae-Mensah, outlined the conference’s objectives. Discussions will focus on the complex problems of violent extremism, political instability, democratic regressions in parts of the region, and their impact on socio-economically challenged communities. The aim is to brainstorm collective responses to violent extremism and strengthen existing counter-terrorism mechanisms.
Mrs. Addae-Mensah expressed hope for the development of new scorecards to tangibly assess the effectiveness of initiatives against violent extremism.
