The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has partnered with the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) to address election violence in West Africa. This collaboration, formalized through a signed agreement, aims to enhance national conflict early warning systems across five countries: Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Niger, and Sierra Leone.
This initiative follows President Barack Obama's commitment at the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit to strengthen the region's early warning and response capabilities. The agreement is part of the Early Warning and Response Partnership (EWARP), marking a significant step towards fulfilling this pledge.
WANEP is an extensive network comprising over 500 civil society organizations focused on conflict prevention and peacebuilding in West Africa. USAID will provide $2.5 million over five years to support WANEP's efforts in identifying potential triggers of election-related violence. If risks are detected during an election cycle, WANEP will propose preventive measures such as mediation and community dialogue to various stakeholders including the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
"Although the causes of political instability in West Africa are deep-rooted, there have been episodes where violence and instability have been sparked by elections," stated USAID/West Africa Mission Director Alex Deprez. "Strengthening early warning and response around key elections in the region will help to reduce the potential for future conflict, and support broader participation in the democratic process."
The project builds on previous USAID programs aimed at enhancing WANEP's capacity alongside ECOWAS since 2003 when they launched ECOWARN—a partnership involving real-time data collection by community monitors.
This marks USAID's first direct award to WANEP, signifying recognition of its development and importance as well as USAID’s commitment to supporting local organizations.