As the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC) West Africa Secretariat, WACSOF held yesterday the 2nd of December a training session on the ECOWAS Conflict Prevention Framework.

Participants had the opportunity to discover many aspects of the ECPF including the relevance, programming and implementation processes of the ECPF.

The Training Session was facilitated by Mr. Paul . A specialist in Peace and Security, Democracy and Good Governance.

WACSOF is currently convening a two day High Policy Dialogue in Mali to look at the provisions of the ECOWAS Model Mining and Minerals Development Act (EMMMDA) that aid in conflict prevention amongst other issues in Mining communities it seeks to harmonize.

WACSOF organized a 2-day training of a group consisting of participants including communities’ leaders, religious leaders and government experts on the provisions of the ECOWAS ECOWAS harmonised mining code (EMMMDA), related to the roles and responsibilities of the stakeholders and how the EMMMDA contributes to peace building and conflict prevention. The participants involved are from the mining communities of KALANA and NAMPALA in the region of SIKASSO in the republic of MALI.

During the training the ECPF (ECOWAS CONFLICT PREVENTION FRAMEWORK) was presented and detailed as well as many provisions of the EMMMDA related to conflict prevention.

The Participants were grateful to WACSOF and its partners and appreciated the added value of the training in their engagement with the mining companies and other stakeholders.

10 Community leaders and authorities and 10 religious leaders who are the community gatekeepers through whom and or needs to pass to reach the community members in all their components have been met to get their buy-in and support.

10 chefs coutumiers et 10 chefs religieux qui sont les gardiens des coutumes et croyances des communautés, aux travers desquels les membres de la communauté dans toutes leurs composantes peuvent être mobilisés, ont été rencontrés, consultés et leur bénédiction ainsi que leur soutien/ appui obtenus pour la mise en œuvre effective des activités du projet.

PIU members with costumary leaders/photo avec les chefs traditionnels

A PIU member holding cola symbol of blessing in african traditions / un membre de l’équipe de mise en œuvre du projet au Mali tenant dans ses mains des colas, fruit utilisé pour solliciter la bénédiction des ainés dans la tradition africaine.