ECOWAS Advances Water-Energy-Food Nexus as Key to Conflict Prevention at Munich, Germany Security Conference.
By Raymond Enoch
At the 61st Munich Security Conference, the Vice President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E. Damtien L. Tchintchibidja, presented an urgent call for increased focus on the Water-Energy-Food Nexus as a critical tool in mitigating conflicts across West Africa.
During a high-level exchange with international stakeholders, Tchintchibidja highlighted the region’s natural resource challenges, emphasizing the importance of collaboration to promote peace, security, and sustainable development.
The Vice President of the ECOWAS Commission addressed a gathering of global policymakers, stressing that the ECOWAS region, rich in natural resources, has the potential for significant economic growth. However, issues such as limited access to water, disputes over land ownership, and climate change-driven pressures on pastoralist communities have fueled tensions and conflict.
She explained that these challenges, if left unaddressed, could worsen security conditions in an already volatile region.
One of the key events was the side-session on “Utilizing the Water-Energy-Food Nexus as an Effective Catalyst for Conflict Prevention.” Organized by the German International Cooperation Agency (GiZ), the session which aimed at showcasing how the integration of water, energy, and food security policies could lead to lasting peace solutions in the region.
Tchintchibidja met with H.E. Svenja Shulze, the German Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), where they discussed how ECOWAS could work with Germany and other partners to tackle these critical issues.
She noted that resolving access to resources, especially in farming and pastoralist communities, was essential to preventing future conflicts. With transhumance, climate change, and food security as central themes, ECOWAS remains committed to addressing the human security challenges through regional cooperation.
The Vice President also co-chaired the 8th Steering Committee of the ECOWAS Stabilization Fund for Regional Stabilization and Development (FRSD), focusing on progress in countries such as The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Benin, and Togo. This meeting underscored the importance of regional stability in ensuring the well-being of millions of people and highlighted the growing partnership between ECOWAS and Germany to address shared security concerns.
As the region continues to face complex security challenges, the partnership with international organizations and the strategic use of the Water-Energy-Food Nexus offers a pathway to mitigating conflicts and fostering long-term prosperity in West Africa.
