2011: Crossing Borders

 "Get to Know ECOWAS: Exploring ECOWAS Approaches in Trans-border Security Threats" provided the opportunity for young professionals to thoroughly understand the new threats that now exist in transnational security. The 2nd annual programme also discussed the importance in recognizing the fact that threats require cooperation and synergy from the region to begin the endeavor for significant West African security.

Participants of the 2nd "Get to Know ECOWAS" training programme

 


Names of the Get to Know the ECOWAS Participants 2011 by Country:

1. Maryse Glele Ahanhanzo (Benin)

2. Jean-Claude Dossa (Benin)

3. Rufin Godjo (Benin)

4. Sylvie Danielle Tagro ( Cote d'Ivoire)

5. Ismaila Kangoye (Cote d'Ivoire)

6. Johnson Asante-Twum (Ghana)

7. Annan Evelyn Rita (Ghana)

8. Traore Aissata Modibo (Guinea)

9. Sylla Mohamed L. N'Deye (Guinea)

10. Guitteye Adane (Mali)

11. Moussa Timbine (Mali)

12. Okenyodo Oluwakemi (Nigeria)

13. Aku Dandjuma Friday (Nigeria)

 14. Olusola Adeoye (Nigeria)

15. Nafissatou Wade (Senegal)

16. Fernand Nino Mendy (Senegal)

Over the course of the 2nd annual Get to Know ECOWAS week, many individuals presented papers and gave presentations all pertaining to security threats in the region. This year in addition to two book launches (Adam Higazi: "The Jos Crisis"; and Annette Lohman: "Who Owns the Sahara"), presentations from the Directorate of Free Movement of Persons/Tourism as well as the Directorate of Employment and Drug control were present:

Adam Higazi's book launch, The Jos Crisis: A Recurrent Nigerian Tragedy

Annette Lohman's book launch, Who Owns the Sahara? Old Conflicts, New Menaces

• The movement of individuals is often what comes to mind when faced with the term "crossing borders". This primary Powerpoint presentation by Mrs. Ijeoma Nwodo and Mr. Pietro Mona from the Directorate of Free Movement of Persons and Tourism analyzes what it really means to be an ECOWAS citizen, dealing with ECOWAS' Article 59 on immigration, and the rights pertaining to all migrants. 

• In this paper, "Transnational Crimes and Security in West Africa: An overview of the ECOWAS Control Initiative on Drug Trafficking", Mr. Aku Dandjuma from Nigeria highlights the growing risk of crimes and security linked with drug trafficking in West Africa. He also presented mechanisms that have been put in place by groups such as the African Union Commission, as well as ECOWAS' Drug Control and Crime Prevention mechanism, providing initiatives and recommendations to rectify the current situation.

• In a follow up to the dangers and security challenges attributed to drug trafficking in West Africa, Dr. Sinitiki T. Ugbe of the Directorate of Employment and Drug Control additionally explores this phenomenon, including facts, figures, and the effects of organized crime. Click here for the full presentation. 

• In the paper "Lack of Accountability Mechanisms" Kemi Okenyodo from Nigeria thoroughly delves into the movement of goods and individuals in West Africa, highlighting the deficiencies that exist in the region and providing alternatives. Exemplifying a case of "harassment, extortion, and traumatic delays" in moving across borders with the Nigeria/Benin border, she insists that what is lacking is the institutionalization of accountability mechanisms in the region.