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ECOWAS Reviews Civil-Military Coordination Strategy to Strengthen Humanitarian Response in West Africa
Regional Workshop Aims to Enhance Collaboration Between Civilian and Military Actors
Abuja, Nigeria | August 6, 2025 – The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has launched a critical four-day regional workshop to refine its draft Civil-Military Coordination Strategy for Humanitarian Action. The high-level meeting, running from August 5-8 in Nigeria’s capital, brings together over 50 technical experts from across the region to establish clearer protocols for emergency response operations.
Why This Strategy Matters Now
West Africa faces mounting humanitarian challenges—from climate-induced disasters to escalating conflicts and health emergencies. The region recorded over 8.2 million internally displaced persons in 2024 alone, according to UNHCR data. These complex crises increasingly require coordinated responses between civilian aid groups and military forces, yet friction points persist.
“When floodwaters rise or armed groups displace communities, humanitarian workers and soldiers often find themselves working side by side,” explained Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim, representing ECOWAS’ Humanitarian Directorate. “But without clear guidelines, misunderstandings can delay life-saving assistance.”
Workshop Objectives and Participants
The Abuja gathering includes:
- Disaster management specialists from all 15 ECOWAS member states
- Representatives from regional Centers of Excellence
- Civil society leaders and media professionals
- International partners including UN agencies and the Red Cross
Participants are reviewing the 42-page draft strategy line-by-line, ensuring alignment with:
- The 2012 ECOWAS Humanitarian Policy
- International Humanitarian Law principles
- Best practices from other conflict-affected regions
Key Challenges Being Addressed
The strategy specifically tackles persistent operational hurdles:
- Role Confusion: Clarifying when and how military assets should support (not lead) humanitarian operations
- Access Negotiation: Establishing protocols for humanitarian access in conflict zones
- Information Sharing: Creating secure channels for situational updates without compromising neutrality
A 2024 study by the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre revealed that 68% of West African humanitarian workers reported difficulties coordinating with military actors during joint operations—a gap this strategy aims to bridge.
Historical Context and Policy Foundations
This initiative builds upon:
- The 1999 ECOWAS Protocol on Conflict Prevention
- Strategic Objective 7 of the ECOWAS Humanitarian Policy
- Lessons from recent operations in the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin
“Our 2012 policy first recognized that soldiers increasingly deliver aid in hard-to-reach areas,” noted Dr. Sintiki Tarfa-Ugbe, ECOWAS Director of Humanitarian Affairs. “Now we’re operationalizing that recognition with concrete guidelines.”
Expected Outcomes
By workshop’s end, participants will produce:
- A finalized strategy document for adoption by ECOWAS ministers
- Training modules for civil-military coordination
- Recommendations for national implementation frameworks
The strategy will undergo field testing in three pilot countries (Nigeria, Niger, and Côte d’Ivoire) before full regional rollout in early 2026.
Looking Ahead
As climate change and instability reshape West Africa’s risk landscape, this initiative represents a proactive step toward more effective crisis response. “This isn’t about militarizing aid,” emphasized one participant from Mali. “It’s about saving more lives through smarter coordination when disasters strike.”
ECOWAS plans to convene follow-up workshops in French and Portuguese to ensure inclusive regional ownership of the final strategy.
For more information, visit the ECOWAS official website.
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