WANEP, West African Network for Peacebuilding, 2017-2020

In the evaluation of the implementation of the strategic plan 2015-2020, the following specific achievements were identified: i) On early warning and reponse, WANEP was able to redesign and set up strong, indigenous, internally-driven early-warning systems in 14 out of the 15 states, and capacities of local structures have been built to enable them to be self-sustaining. This included a critical mass of monitors and the redesigning of the monitoring architecture. In addition, support has been provided to states and states institutions and high political in ECOWAS member countries. WANEP has also gone beyond West Africa to initiate partnerships with CSOs and RECs including ECCAS, SADC and AU to create synergies on peace and security issues. ii) Increased ability and leverage to support States and State institutions as well as ECOWAS and AU in spite of the challenging contexts in states and the reforms within the continental bodies. WANEP has been able to do this as a result of the credibility it has built over the years within the sub-region and beyond. Linked to this is the ability of WANEP to generate additional funding from the initial JFA. iii) WANEP within the strategic plan's period has also supported the development of National Action Plans for 13 out of the 15 countries, taking into consideration regional level issues and contextual imperatives at the national level. iv) Gender responsiveness is another area where WANEP has achieved success. Women, peace and security issues were streamlined into action plans covering early warning and inclusivity. WANEP partnered with the United Nations Office for West AFrica and the Sahel (UNOWAS) to implement programmes in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Ivory Coast with a strong focus on women participation in decision making. v) WANEP has through the implementation of the Strategic Plan improved its credibility among the donor community. This was underpinned by high public visibility, its transparency and accountability to donors and community members. vi) The current institutional structure of WANEP has enabled it to a large extent in delivering on the priority objectives of the strategic plan, though specific areas still need to be strengthened: network structures, human resources in terms of staff capacity, etc.

An integrated and decentralized early warning and response system is operationalized at community, national and regional levels in West Africa. Strategic Objective 1: National Early Warning and Response Systems (incorporated with national peace and security architecture) are functional in all Member States and linked to ECOWAS Early Warning and Response System. Strategic Objective 2: Citizen capacity is developed and deployed in peacebuilding and conflict prevention/interventions at community, national and regional levels. Strategic Objective 3: Research results are utilized in policy advocacy to promote peace and security. Strategic Objective 4: Gender capacity in peacebuilding and conflict prevention is developed and deployed at community, national and regional levels. Strategic Objective 5: Institutional and financial sustainability of WANEP (National Network and Regional Secretariat) ensured.