Workshop on Planning, Coordination and Monitoring of the ECOWAS Support Programme to Africa Peace...

Workshop on Planning, Coordination and Monitoring of the ECOWAS Support Programme to Africa Peace & Security Architecture (APSA) IV was held from 31 to 02 June 2023, at Park in Hotel by Radisson in Victoria Island. The European Union (EU) support to the African Peace and Security Architecture Program provides a continental framework for the African Union Commission (AUC), Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and Regional Mechanisms (RMs) to jointly prevent, manage and resolve conflicts in Africa.

The Objectives of this workshop were to check the progress of the implementation of the project (Planning, Achievements, Challenges, Opportunities) To review the planning of ECOWAS APSA IV 2023 activities and to complete the ECOWAS Monitoring and Evaluation Matrix, to reinforce the ownership of the project by the respective stakeholders, to enhance the coordination and the visibility of the project and To prepare the upcoming Joint Monitoring Mission (JMM)

The meeting was attended by,The Permanent Representative of ECOWAS to the African Union, The Director of Humanitarian and Social Affairs of ECOWAS Commission,the Manager of ECOWAS Peace Fund,the Director of Strategic Planning, M&E of ECOWAS Commission Representative of the directorate of political affairs,representatives of ECOWAS Directorate of Peacekeeping and Regional Security, representatives of ECOWAS External Relations Directorate,representatives of ECOWAS Directorate of Early Warning, representatives of ECOWAS Directorate of Procurement, representatives of ECOWAS Directorate of Financial Reporting and Grants.

During the opening ceremony, Mr. Dieudonne Nikiema, Manager of ECOWAS Peace Fund, welcomed the Permanent Representative of ECOWAS to the African Union, His Excellency Francis Oke, the Directors and the participants from the Directorates present for this workshop. He noted that APSA is an important Programme for ECOWAS, which started in March 2020 and will end in February 2024, it includes a series of activities involving all the ECOWAS Directorate present for this meeting and the ECOWAS Representative to the African Union. Mr. Nikiema concluded his remarks by indicating that this meeting should allow to have the level of achievement and to see the gaps.

SEM Francis OKE as the Chairman of the Meeting, in his opening remarks thanked all the participants present and declared that this meeting will allow to get a better understanding of APSA IV. SEM. Francis OKE indicated that due to the results and activities ongoing this project needs to be extended after february 2024.

About EU APSA IV

The APSA IV, the European Union (EU) support to the African Peace and Security Architecture Program provides a continental framework for the African Union Commission (AUC), Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and RegionalMechanisms (RMs) to jointlyprevent, manage and resolve conflictsin Africa.

Likewise the AUC and other RECs/RMs, the ECOWAS Commission has been implementing activities under the EU sponsorship in the areas of conflict cycle management, with a focus on Early Warning; the African Standby Force; Coordination and Partnership at all levels within the APSA, including engagement with Civil Society Organizations, and inclusiveness and engagement with youth and children.

The overall objectiveof the APSA IV programis to reduce the incidence, duration and intensity of violent conflictsin Africa, with the followingspecific results:

• S01: The conflict cycle management under APSA is improved, with a focus on effective Early WarningSystems and the African Standby Force.

• S02: The effectiveness of cooperation within and aroundthe APSA framework including CSOs engagement are strengthened and

• S03: The APSA is more inclusive of youth and children.

To ensure a smooth implementation of the program, a total fund of Euro 3,600,000 was allocated to ECOWAS under the APSA IV for the 4-year period (March 2020 toFebruary 2024). The implementation of the project kick-started in March 2020.

The implementing directorates are: Early Warning, Peacekeeping and Regional Security, PoliticalAffairs, Humanitarian and Social Affairs,Permanent Representation office to the African Union, and the Ecowas Peace Fund whichdoubles as Project Management Unit for APSA IV, in collaboration of the Directorate of Finance and the Directorate of Administration.