ECOWAS, ACSS Forge Strategic Alliance on Peace, Security and Human Development in West Africa.
By Raymond Enoch.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Africa Center for Strategic Studies (ACSS) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening strategic cooperation on peace, security, and human development in the region.
On Friday, July 18, 2025, ACSS Director, Ms. Amanda Dory, led a high-level delegation to the ECOWAS Commission headquarters in Abuja, where she held in-depth consultations with the Vice President of the ECOWAS Commission, Her Excellency Madam Damtien TCHINTCHIBIDJA.
The meeting, held against the backdrop of mounting regional threats—including the proliferation of misinformation and disinformation, armed conflict, and governance challenges—focused on reinforcing institutional collaboration to promote stability, resilient leadership, and proactive conflict mitigation.
“We must confront today’s complex security threats through inclusive dialogue, informed strategy, and innovation,” Ms. Dory stated following the engagement. “The Africa Center remains a committed partner to ECOWAS in building a safer, more secure region.”
In a joint communiqué, both institutions outlined key areas of renewed cooperation, with a strong emphasis on:
Capacity Building: Scaling up training and technical support for ECOWAS and personnel from Member States.
Strategic Leadership Development: Cultivating regional expertise through leadership programs tailored for peace and security practitioners.
Information Sharing and Best Practices: Institutionalizing knowledge exchange across borders to address shared challenges.
Technology-Driven Solutions: Employing emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), for data-driven conflict forecasting and decision-making.
Vice President TCHINTCHIBIDJA described the collaboration as “timely and vital,” especially as West Africa navigates a dynamic security landscape.
“Security is no longer just about borders and arms—it’s about trust, knowledge, and anticipating the future,” she noted. “This partnership with ACSS will help ECOWAS better respond to threats before they escalate.”
The ACSS—an academic institution under the U.S. Department of Defense—has a longstanding history of engaging African governments, civil society, and regional bodies in strengthening strategic leadership and institutional capacity.
The Abuja meeting marks a significant step forward in aligning efforts between ECOWAS and ACSS, anchoring their collaboration in shared priorities and African-led solutions to regional peacebuilding and human development.
As West Africa continues to grapple with transnational security threats and governance challenges, the renewed partnership promises more agile, informed, and inclusive approaches to safeguarding the region’s future.
