West Africa

GPPAC members in West Africa work together to strengthen locally-led peacebuilding, regional cooperation, and inclusive approaches to conflict prevention. 

Why our members' work matters in West Africa:

West Africa is facing a rise in violent extremism, farmer–herder conflicts, environmental stress, resource-related tensions, election-related violence, maritime piracy, transnational organised crime, and the proliferation of small arms. These challenges both stem from and deepen poverty, youth unemployment, weak state capacity, and widening inequalities. 

At the same time, increasing political instability, democratic backsliding, and unconstitutional changes of government in some countries are affecting civic space, trust in institutions, and the operating environment for civil society actors engaged in peacebuilding and conflict prevention.

In response, GPPAC members create inclusive spaces such as the West Africa Peace and Security Dialogue, where peacebuilding practitioners, policymakers, youth and women’s groups, academics, and civil society actors come together to examine the evolving security landscape and co-create actionable solutions.

Countering harmful narratives

Members address harmful narratives and promote non-violence, human rights, and human security by strengthening their capacity to advance more inclusive narratives of peace. This includes:

• Hosting regional and cross-border dialogues
• Delivering training on non-violence, human rights, and harmful narratives
• Facilitating peer learning and exchange among members

Connecting local action and regional policy

GPPAC West Africa also works to strengthen collaboration and policy influence across the region. By linking local peacebuilding realities with regional and global processes, the network supports more coordinated and effective responses to conflict. Concretely, the network works to:

• Operationalise the Humanitarian–Development–Peace (HDP) Nexus through regional policy engagement and dialogue with existing regional blocs such as ECOWAS and the Alliance for the Sahel States, UN agencies, and diplomatic missions
• Amplify and support members’ participation in regional and global policy forums such as the CSO-UN Dialogue on Peacebuilding

Working on climate, peace, and security

Recognising that climate change is increasingly affecting peace and security in West Africa, GPPAC members are strengthening their capacity to respond to these challenges. They are building understanding of how climate impacts peace and security, designing climate-sensitive peacebuilding initiatives, sharing knowledge across the region, and raising awareness to ensure that climate policies are more inclusive and better reflect local realities.

Knowledge Products:

Selected publications from network members in West Africa include:

• Lessons Learned and Strategic Operationalisation of Peacebuilding and Sustaining Peace in Niger
• Reimagining Peace and Security in West Africa: Local Solutions, Regional Solidarity and Global Partnerships
• Managing Election Violence and Sustaining Peace and Security in West Africa