Conflict prevention and early warning mechanisms in West Africa: A critical assessment of progress

Souaré, Issaka K.

doi:10.1080/10246029.2007.9627435

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…(Adeniyi, 2009). Given the heavy and enduring costs of disaster management, there is no disputing the fact that making efforts to prevent them from breaking out in the first place is better than waiting until it is too late (Souare, 2006). The earlier a disaster, a disease, a dispute or a conflict can be identified, diagnosed and its causes properly addressed, the less likely it is that the situation will deteriorate into crisis, epidemic or violence.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development of a Cartographic Strategy and Geospatial Services for Disaster Early Warning and Mitigation in the Ecowas Subregion

Gueye¹,

Keita

Akinyede

et al. 2015

Int. Arch. Photogramm. Remote Sens. Spatial Inf. Sci.

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ABSTRACT:The West Africa Sub-region has been crisis and disaster ridden in recent times with enormous challenges for disaster mitigation. The crisis/disasters range from conflicts fuelled by political upheaval to epidemics that take their tolls on the population of some countries in the sub-region. The crisis and disaster events have overwhelming magnitudes and are highly dynamic, requiring a well-articulated plan for immediate response in order to mitigate their effects. A study carried out by the Early Warning Directorate (EWD) of the Economic Commission of West African States (ECOWAS) highlighted the risks and vulnerabilities of the region despite the considerable progress made in development and peace consolidation in some parts of the region. The study identified apparent institutional and infrastructural deficiencies, such as the lack of up-to-date geospatial data and information, and inadequate platforms for data gathering and data sharing among the relevant national agencies, which have made much of the region particularly vulnerable to the emerging threats. It is against the foregoing that the development of a Cartographic Strategy and Geospatial Services for EWD and the ECOWAS is being proposed. In addition to the resolution of the crucial need of reliable geospatial data capacity of member states, this initiative will spearhead the realisation of a Geospatial Data Infrastructure for ECOWAS Commission, through the appropriate policy formulation and implementation. Through the proper implementation of the Cartographic Strategy and Geospatial Services, ECOWAS will have the capacity to provide geospatial analysis and mapping support focusing on areas related to conflict prevention and resolution, regional planning for food security, early warning of viral diseases and epidemics, disaster preparedness, mitigation and response, infrastructural development and refugee resettlement, and a host of other vital projects/programmes for promoting ECOWAS regional integration agenda. This paper discusses the outcome of the preliminary studies and activities carried out by an Expert Group commissioned by the EWD to develop a Cartographic Strategy and propose a framework for its implementation. These include the assessment of the status of mapping and Geographic Information System uptake in member states, the formulation of policy and the realisation of a work plan for its successful implementation in the region.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development of a Cartographic Strategy and Geospatial Services for Disaster Early Warning and Mitigation in the Ecowas Subregion

Gueye¹,

Keita

Akinyede

et al. 2015

Int. Arch. Photogramm. Remote Sens. Spatial Inf. Sci.

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“…38 The 2001 Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance is devoted to "sub-regional peace and security observation systems" and "early warning systems," leading to the establishment of an Observation and Monitoring Centre (OMC) at the ECOWAS Commission. 39 The Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) was the first African regional initiative on peacekeeping when its troops intervened to establish law and order after the crisis and failure of diplomatic negotiations in Liberia in 1990. Further missions in Sierra Leone, Guinea Bissau, and again in Liberia have established ECOMOG as a serious regional player.…”

Section: Ecowas/ecomog: a Model For Others?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Systemic Disconnects: Why Regional Organizations Fail to Use Early Warning and Response Mechanisms

Wulf¹,

Debiel²

2010

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To what extent does empirical evidence confirm or question the value of conflict early warning and response for effective practice by regional organizations? This article presents a brief overview of existing key EWR mechanisms and analyzes if, and under what conditions, these mechanisms might be a useful peace and security promotion tool for regional organizations. It looks at three regional and subregional organizationsthe African Union, the Economic Community of West African States/Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group in West Africa, and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development in East Africa that have established such conflict EWR mechanisms. Until now, these tools have not been adequately implemented or fully used. The principal reason for this is not a lack of sufficient EWR data. Instead, regional organizations often fail to respond in time to prevent an emerging violent conflict because of weaknesses of the organization and political disagreements within the organization.

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Conflict prevention and early warning mechanisms in West Africa: A critical assessment of progress

Cited by 2 publications

References 7 publications

Development of a Cartographic Strategy and Geospatial Services for Disaster Early Warning and Mitigation in the Ecowas Subregion

Development of a Cartographic Strategy and Geospatial Services for Disaster Early Warning and Mitigation in the Ecowas Subregion

Systemic Disconnects: Why Regional Organizations Fail to Use Early Warning and Response Mechanisms

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