Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission Holds Workshop on Dialogue and Mediation as Tools for Preventing and Mitigating Election-Related Disputes and Violence – African Business
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The 22nd of February will see the Directorate of Political Affairs (DPA), Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security of ECOWAS Commission, begin a series of interactive workshops and training on dialogue and mediation for political actors and other stakeholders.nd of November 2022 in Lagos, Nigeria
The workshop which is part of its strategic and operational support for The country’s peaceful 2023 General Elections, is a follow up to the ECOWAS’ October 23rd-November 12th, 2022 Pre-election Fact-Finding Mission to Nigeria which among others, assessed the level of preparation by relevant stakeholders for the forthcoming general elections while mapping out areas of potential support by ECOWAS.
The workshop series, billed to hold in some selected states across the six geo-political zones of the country, targets the leadership of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) among others and is aimed at strengthening their capacity to prevent and mitigate potential pre- and post-election-related disputes and violence, in order to ensure peaceful electoral outcomes.
The backdrop for the program is that electoral contestations are a major source in conflicts in West Africa. There are potentials for violence, triggered by or heightened incendiary rhetoric and high political power.
It is expected that this series of training and interactive workshops will also create opportunities for stakeholders to understand better, the ECOWAS normative principles and frameworks for democracy and good governance, sustain and enhance ECOWAS’ strategic engagement with the political process in Nigeria as well as its commitment and determination to promote dialogue and mediation in resolving electoral disputes and conflicts.
It should be remembered that similar workshops were also held in the run-up to the 2019 general election in Nigeria and in the context of the electoral processes in a number other Member States.
Under the DANISH Africa Programme for Peace, funding is provided by the Kingdom of Denmark for the training and interactive workshops.
Distributed by APO Group for the Economic Community of West African States.
APO issued this Press Release. APO has issued this Press Release. The content has not been reviewed by African Business’ editorial team. The content of this announcement is solely at the issuer’s responsibility.
Source: african.business
