Investing in Peace and thePrevention of Violence in WestAfrica and the Sahel-Sahara:Conversations on the Secretary-General’s Plan of Action

SEPTEMBER 2016

Introduction

West Africa and the Sahel-Sahara region are faced with peace and securitychallenges that weaken states and affect state-citizen relations. The emergenceand proliferation of violent extremist groups aggravate the climate of fear andinsecurity, and the actions of these groups affect peace efforts, sustainabledevelopment, and human rights. Faced with this reality, policymakers haverecognized that preventing violence requires a multidisciplinary and multi-stakeholder approach. This approach needs to address the underlyingconditions that lead individuals to join violent extremist groups, as well as theneed to reintegrate members of these groups who wish to return to theiroriginal environment. In the course of the last decade, efforts to solve the problem of violentextremism have consisted primarily of a series of security measures largelyinspired by strategies used to fight terrorism. But experience has shown thatsuch strategies are inadequate and at times fuel further extremism. Thisexperience has led international organizations and states to adopt morepreventive approaches, such as those detailed in the Plan of Action to PreventViolent Extremism issued by the UN secretary-general on December 24,2015.1 During the presentation of this plan, the secretary-general emphasizedthat “many years of experience have proven that short-sighted policies, failedleadership, heavy-handed approaches, a single-minded focus only on securitymeasures and an utter disregard for human rights have often made thingsworse.” It is therefore urgent to identify more effective measures and sustain-able policies to prevent violent extremism.2

In this context, the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS),the International Peace Institute (IPI), and the Swiss Federal Department ofForeign Affairs co-organized a regional seminar in Dakar, Senegal, on June 27and 28, 2016, to explore alternative measures to address the violent extremismafflicting the region. This meeting brought together sixty participants fromfourteen countries, including political leaders, members of civil society (men,women, and youth), and religious and traditional authorities, as well asrepresentatives of the media (in their capacity as experts), the private sector,governments, and regional and international organizations. The meeting first sought to better understand how states, citizens, andorganizations in the region define and perceive the issue of violent extremism

This seminar was co-organized in

Dakar from June 27 to 28, 2016, by

IPI, the Swiss Federal Department of

Foreign Affairs, and the UN Office for

West Africa and the Sahel

(UNOWAS). The participants,

including experts, religious and

traditional authorities, and represen-

tatives of civil society, the private

sector, governments, and regional

and international organizations,

discussed the secretary-general’s

Plan of Action to Prevent Violent

Extremism, published in December

2016.

Arthur Boutellis, Olga Abilova,

Delphine Mechoulan, and Lesley

Connolly of IPI’s Brian Urquhart

Center for Peace Operations

oversaw the substantive prepara-

tions for the seminar and the

drafting of this report. This meeting

note reflects the rapporteurs’

interpretation of the discussions and

does not necessarily reflect the

views of all other participants.

IPI owes a debt of gratitude to the

many donors to the programs of the

Center for Peace Operations. In

particular, IPI is grateful to the Swiss

Confederation for making this

seminar possible.

1 UN General Assembly, Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism: Report of the Secretary-General, December24, 2015, UN Doc. A/70/674.

2 UN Secretary-General, “UN Secretary-General’s Remarks at General Assembly Presentation of the Plan of Actionto Prevent Violent Extremism,” January 15, 2016.

2 MEETING NOTE

in West Africa and the Sahel-Sahara. It thenaddressed the subregional dynamics and how theyare affected by global responses to violentextremism. Participants also discussed preventionpractices that have yielded positive results in WestAfrica and the Sahel-Sahara. They concluded theirdeliberations by developing a regional perspectiveon how best to implement the UN secretary-general's Plan of Action to Prevent ViolentExtremism. These deliberations took into accountchallenges and opportunities specific to the region,as well as the transborder and transregionaldimensions of violent extremism.

Perceptions of ViolentExtremism and Its RootCauses in West Africa andthe Sahel-Sahara

Addressing the topic of the prevention of violentextremism is essential for the future of the Africancontinent. However, developing better policies todeal with this phenomenon requires betterunderstanding its root causes and developing ashared diagnosis of the problem. The first part ofthe seminar thus focused on understanding themanifestations and local perceptions of violentextremism in the region. In the region, violent extremism is generallyperceived and described as an external threat tolocal communities. For some participants, jihadismrepresents a nihilistic rejection of society and mustbe distinguished from violent extremism. Thisdistinction is essential because confusion betweenthe two concepts risks stigmatizing certainreligious groups and could lead to more violence. Although the general perception is that thisscourge threatens many countries in the region—though inconsistently and unpredictably—numerous zones of stability exist and can benefitfrom further examination. It is necessary toidentify the factors that increase the capacity ofsome communities to separate themselves fromand keep their members from joining violentextremist groups. One such factor could be arelationship of trust between the state and itscitizens, which could account for collaborative

responses to addressing violent extremism incertain contexts. Further investigation of thesefactors associated with more peaceful societiescould help devise more effective policies at thenational and transnational levels. According to the participants, the media play animportant role in shaping the perception of violentextremism through their portrayal of events relatedto actions of violent extremism. The internationalcommunity and international media tend to focuson certain violent extremist groups, such as ISISand al-Qaida. Other extremist groups receivingmore support from local communities, such asAnsar al-Sharia in Libya, the Movement forOneness and Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO) inMali in 2012, or Boko Haram (initially), seem toattract less media attention and do not benefit fromnuanced analysis. These groups often emerge inresponse to deficits in governance, such as lack ofbasic services, education, and health, and tend tofill security vacuums left by the absence of the state. Definitions and perceptions of violent extremismtherefore vary depending on the context. Thenational discourse on violent extremism in conflict-affected or post-conflict countries tends to focus onthe degree of inclusivity in peace negotiations andpolitical dialogue (i.e., the degree of participationand broader inclusion of extremist groups in theseprocesses), as well as the emergence and spread oftransnational violent groups. Research on theperceptions of local populations, however, hashighlighted the lack of socioeconomic opportunitiesand the absence of the state—and thus the deficit ininteractions between the state and its citizens—asadditional drivers of violent extremism. Indeed, socioeconomic inequality and lack ofopportunities influence the ability of a communityto prevent the appeal of violent extremist groupsand their rhetoric, especially among youth. Youthhave often already lost their confidence in stateinstitutions and their leaders. According to one ofthe participants, “Al-Qaida has now become thelargest employer of youth in the region.” Amapping of resilience factors among communitiesin southern Libya revealed that the priority of thelocal population was neither the reconciliationagreement sponsored by the United Nations norISIS, but access to the economy and to money.3

3 See Interpeace, “Libya,” available at www.interpeace.org/programme/libya/ .

Other studies conducted in Niger showed that localcommunities consider the lack of livelihoods,rather than terrorism, as the main cause of insecu-rity.4

The rise of violent extremism is often associatedwith a breakdown in state-society relations, andparticipants noted that this breakdown in theregion is often due to violence—physical orstructural—exercised by states themselves. Thisviolence is one of the root causes of the alienationof certain individuals who turn to violence. It istherefore important to ensure that the focus onviolent extremist groups and their propagandadoes not render invisible other forms of violence insocieties, especially those resulting from stateaction. Finally, the issue of corruption often came upduring the seminar. Corrupt elites not onlymonopolize political spaces and economicresources but also express indifference andcontempt toward the rest of the population. Theconsequences impede socioeconomic developmentand undermine the confidence of citizens in theirinstitutions—exacerbating two of the mainconcerns of populations at risk of violentextremism. These concerns are especially strong inrural areas, where people are often victim togrowing disparities between urban centers and theperipheries. These same people are those who turnfirst to armed groups to ensure their safety,especially when national security forces are absent,predatory, or perceived as unreliable. Participants stressed the importance of includingyouth and women as key players in the preventionof violent extremism. This inclusion can be doneboth through consultations to better inform policyand more directly by involving them in efforts toraise awareness of the negative effects of violentextremism. Participants also suggested strength-ening strategic partnerships between governmentsand the private sector to generate jobs for youth.Youth entrepreneurship should be stimulatedthrough closer cooperation with banks, whichshould be encouraged to give young people loans atlow interest rates. Participants emphasized the

importance of not limiting engagement with youthto recreation projects but of also boosting theirpolitical and civic engagement. Several youthparticipants shared initiatives they had undertakenin this respect (e.g., in Tunisia), calling for youngpeople not to be considered as beneficiaries but asresponsible for their own destiny. Discussions among the participants broughtforward a diagnosis of violent extremism and itscauses that was much more nuanced than thetypical calls for robust responses to violence. Theyalso confirmed that violent extremism feeds onpolitical exclusion, lack of socioeconomic opportu-nity, absence of the state, and harmful breakdownin relations between citizens and the state. Thediscussions highlighted the need to invest inactions collectively undertaken by institutions,citizens, and communities to provide positivesolutions to such deficits, disabling the attraction ofviolence as a means to an end. Such initiativesalready exist, participants stressed, and it isimportant that they be valued and supported.

Subregional Dynamics andthe Impact of the GlobalTrends of Violent Extremism

Participants stressed that, while acting locally, it isimportant to understand the dynamics of violentextremism at the regional level, as well as theimpact of global trends, and to consider how localaction can be complemented by regional preven-tive actions. Indeed, global remedies have beenlimited—both conceptually and programmati-cally—to security measures, whether multilateralor national. Such approaches aim to containviolence but often do not allow any space toaddress its causes. Moreover, they do not involvethe whole population and often overlook thegender dimension of the issue. The transnationalnature of violent extremism also calls for reflectionon how to ensure that preventive actions atdifferent levels result in a coherent whole ratherthan in dispersed and overlapping responses, as istoo often the case.

Investing in Peace and the Prevention of Violence 3

4 See Search for Common Ground, “Analyse des déterminants de conflits dans les communes de Tchintabaraden et Tassara,” March 2014, available atwww.sfcg.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/NIG_RR_Jan14_Rapport-Dynamique-des-conflits-et-Medias-au-Niger-et-Tahoua1.pdf ; and UNDP, “Analyse desfacteurs de conflits au Niger,” available at www.ne.undp.org/content/dam/niger/docs/Publications/UNDP-NE-Analyse%20des%20facteurs%20des%20conflits.pdf?download .

4 MEETING NOTE

Due to the complexity of the phenomenon, it isclear that there is no simple and consistentapproach to preventing violent extremism—bydefinition an issue that must be thought of in thelong term. At the same time, many countries in theregion share a number of structural factors, such aspoverty and a deficit in cultural education,including about Islam, that make some individualsmore vulnerable to recruitment by violentextremist groups. The failure of the state to providebasic services, including safety and security, is alsoan important factor in rural, remote, and marginal-ized areas, where the cross-border influence ofviolent extremism may exert a stronger pull thanthe central state. It is therefore essential to developresponses that are rooted in the specificities of localcommunities and their relationship with the statewhile also taking into account the increasinglytransnational nature of violent extremism, fromWest Africa to the Sahel to North Africa, CentralAfrica, and beyond. The difficulty of implementing global policies atthe local level is not new. For example, both thesecretary-general’s Plan of Action to PreventViolent Extremism and the EU’s Strategy forSecurity and Development in the Sahel face thesame pitfalls. Existing regional frameworks shouldbetter take into account and integrate local andtransnational dynamics related to violence in WestAfrica and the Sahel-Sahara region in order todevelop more effective policies. These frameworksshould also build on lessons learned from positiveexperiences in the region. Moreover, it is importantto review the assumptions underlying currentprevention policies by basing them on analysis ofregional actors’ perceptions of why violentextremism is so prevalent. Political commitmentsmust also be accompanied by funding, includingfor community and regional initiatives.

Prevention InitiativesOffering Alternatives toViolence

The discussion on prevention initiatives in WestAfrica and the Sahel-Sahara was conducted in threeparallel thematic groups that addressed, respec-

tively: (1) political participation, state-citizenrelations, and inclusive dialogue; (2) independentand responsible media coverage in a world wherecompetition for information is the main incentive;and (3) subregional approaches to preventionbeyond borders. In all groups, the discussions focused on the needto go beyond a securitized approach and to focuson prevention by concentrating on local communi-ties that can provide a basis for promoting violentextremism and often themselves are the mainvictims of violent extremist groups. A centralmessage of the meeting was that the internationalcommunity, regional organizations, and statesshould work more closely and in a participatorymanner with local communities—from youth toelders—when developing programs to preventviolent extremism. This recognition of sharedresponsibility is one of the most important charac-teristics of an effective approach to prevention, asidentity and social cohesion play a major role in theability of local communities to fight violentextremism. The discussions also highlighted thatmaintaining a strong link between older andyounger members of the same community wascentral. The results of research conducted insouthern Libya and presented at the meetingshowed that constant communication and mutualrespect between young people and their eldersplayed a role in reducing the infiltration of violentextremism in these communities.5 It is particularlyimportant to involve local authorities andtraditional and religious leaders and to supportintra-cultural and intra-religious dialogue in orderto promote tolerance. Finally, a common assessment of the currentpolicies aimed at managing terrorist threats isnecessary. Such an assessment could help shed lighton the existing mistrust between states and civilsociety organizations, as well as between some localstakeholders and international organizations. Formany participants, only a change in the practicesand vocabulary used is likely to build the necessaryconfidence that would lead to integrated andconcerted actions. The media have a major influence on how violent

5 See Interpeace, “Libya,” available at www.interpeace.org/programme/libya/ .

extremism is perceived and how the responses to itare conceptualized. They also influence the percep-tion of the effectiveness of prevention policies, evenif they seldom talk about prevention initiatives.Some journalists participating in the discussionsmaintained that their primary role remained toinform, not to perform an educational function orbe agents for promoting the prevention of violentextremism. This is particularly important since theindependence and neutrality of journalists areessential to allowing them to do their work safely.Others, while acknowledging this journalistic role,believed that “the media, if they do not educate us,shape our views,” and often negatively so.Nonetheless, there are still examples of the positiverole the media can play, for example that of radiostations broadcasting programs of peace education. Moreover, contrary to well-funded internationalmedia, local media are often underfunded, are littleor poorly trained, and face increased pressure orrisks. As a result, they often fail to provideimpartial coverage, despite having betterknowledge of local realities. A commonlyexpressed concern was the lack of control oversome local community radio stations that aresometimes used to amplify voices that inciteviolence, whatever side they come from. As muchas it is in the interest of state authorities to profes-sionalize local media coverage of violentextremism, it is also important to make sure anyregulations deemed necessary do not undulyrestrict the ability of journalists to do their work incompliance with the ethics of their profession.

Toward a RegionalPerspective on the Plan ofAction

The secretary-general's Plan of Action to PreventViolent Extremism calls for the development ofmultisector and multidisciplinary regional andnational plans to address the root causes of thisphenomenon. In West Africa and the Sahel-Sahara,many existing regional organizations are alreadyaddressing this issue—including the G5, EconomicCommunity of West African States (ECOWAS),West African Economic and Monetary Union(UEMOA), and African Union (AU)—in additionto several other international partners and organi-

zations (including the UN and EU). It is necessaryto ensure consistency among these differentregional frameworks and to capitalize on theircomparative advantages. It is equally important toensure that they are mutually reinforcing andsupported by regional and international organiza-tions and bilateral partners in a coordinatedmanner. As for the United Nations, the dialogue betweenmember states and the UN Secretariat on theimplementation of the secretary-general's Plan ofAction to Prevent Violent Extremism mustcontinue, even in the absence of a definition ofviolent extremism. This dialogue should in partic-ular better take into account perspectives andperceptions from the regional, subregional,national, and local levels; context, more than anagreed definition, should guide action. UN engagement in the field should therefore bebased on a thorough analysis of the constantlyevolving local context, together with a morenuanced understanding of armed groups, thefactors that have allowed them to emerge, and theirevolution. This can be achieved through an activedialogue among member states, the UN Secretariat,and field missions. Such a dialogue should putmore emphasis on the potential role of UN countryteams and regional offices in promoting a preven-tive approach to violence. UN engagement on thisissue may also require increased human andfinancial resources within the framework of UNpeace operations. However, it is important to keep in mind that UNaction on preventing violent extremism risksundermining local actors’ perception of theimpartiality of its work, which is critical to theUN’s role in fostering dialogue and preventingconflict. Other risks the UN faces include beingperceived as supporting violent actions by statescarrying out policies to “counter violentextremism” for partisan political reasons in a waythat may stigmatize opposition groups. As indicated above, the implementation of theUN secretary-general's Plan of Action at theregional level will require close collaboration withregional organizations already working in theseareas (such as the G5, ECOWAS, UEMOA, andAU) and other multilateral or bilateral partners.The UN and regional organizations operate in a

Investing in Peace and the Prevention of Violence 5

common area and must therefore associate andenrich their thinking and their mutual actions bycapitalizing on synergies. The UN Office for WestAfrica and the Sahel (UNOWAS) has a clear role toplay in this regard by pooling resources and facili-tating the coordination of regional actions toprevent violent extremism, while serving as abridge to other relevant regional spaces in Northand Central Africa in collaboration with UN officesin those regions.

Conclusions andRecommendations

The UN secretary-general has called for thedevelopment of “new regional or subregional plansof action to prevent violent extremism, facilitatedby regional or subregional organizations and theUnited Nations, with a view to complementing andreinforcing [the] national plans.” In response tothis call, participants stressed that policies toprevent violent extremism must be based on sharedaction involving institutions, citizens, andcommunities. This will help to bring out alterna-tives that in turn can provide innovative andpositive responses. Participants also insisted thatthe different levels of action must be adapted to thespecific local contexts and perceptions. However, changing current approaches alsoimplies taking stock of the limitations and failuresof policies at various levels—international,regional, and national. It is also important torecognize that no technical approach can overcomeor compensate for the need for good governanceand inclusive dialogue that would lead todeveloping common responses from the outset.National and regional institutions often lack thetools to monitor the rise of violent extremism,especially at the local and transnational levels.Finally, the quasi-absence of national debatesaround these issues remains a challenge becauseeffective policies cannot be implemented success-fully without the involvement of citizens. Participants agreed on a number of recommen-dations with regards to how the UN and itspartners could more effectively prevent violentextremism in West Africa and the Sahel-Sahara

subregions, in support of national governmentsand local authorities and communities and with theactive participation of citizens:• Political participation, improved relations

between the state and its citizens or thegoverning and the governed, and inclusivedialogue should be the primary mechanisms forinvesting in peace and preventing violence,including violent extremism.

• Consultative structures including senior citizens,elders, women, youth, political parties, and theprivate sector must be created or strengthened toinform national, regional, and internationalpolicies on the prevention of violent extremism.This could also contribute to increased nationalownership of prevention policies, as well asimproved evaluation of their implementation.

• The media could publicize positive peace initia-tives. Joint media programming at the regionallevel could be encouraged. The establishment ofa network of women journalists should also beenvisaged to ensure a gendered approach.Community radio stations have an importantrole in the education and awareness of citizens.

• Institutional initiatives to prevent violentextremism must build on existing initiatives(such as those undertaken by regional organiza-tions like the G5, ECOWAS, UEMOA, and AU),bring coherence to the different strategies, andcapitalize on their comparative advantages andgood practices in a coordinated manner.

• States may have coordination structures allowingthem to work together to strengthen policiesaimed at preventing violent extremism, butspaces for networking and uniting citizen initia-tives are lacking at the local and transnationallevels. Support is needed to help citizens developsuch structures and have a role in dialogue withregional and international authorities andorganizations.

• The establishment of regional structures toexchange ideas and increase understanding andconsideration of transnational dynamics betweenWest Africa and the Sahel, North Africa, andCentral Africa could also contribute to preven-tive approaches that are adapted to local realities

6 MEETING NOTE

6 UN General Assembly, Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism: Report of the Secretary-General, para. 45.

and carried out transnationally.• It is essential to capitalize on, build on, and

support local scientific research on the phenom-enon of violent extremism and to help ensure itsresults are disseminated and taken into accountin the development of national and regionalpolicies.

• It is important to recognize the role and centralresponsibility of states in prevention, includingthrough soundly managing public affairs andfocusing on the management of diversity. Thiscan be done by creating inclusive institutions,establishing a better balance between preventiveapproaches and exclusively security-orientedresponses, and always taking into account andbeing respectful of the rule of law and human

rights. This also applies to policies each state isrequired to develop when faced with the returnor repentance of those who participated inviolent extremist movements.

It is obvious that all these recommendationscannot ignore the global context and institutions ofglobal governance. They must also inform interna-tional policies and strategies for preventing violentextremism in West Africa and the Sahel-Sahara. Todo this, the co-organizers of the meeting—UNOWAS, IPI, and the Swiss Federal Departmentof Foreign Affairs—are committed to sharing theresults of this meeting more widely. This will takethe form of a policy roundtable they will organizein the fall in New York on the sidelines of the 2016UN General Assembly.

Investing in Peace and the Prevention of Violence 7

Agenda

Monday, June 27, 2016

8:30–9:00 Arrival and Registration of Participants

9:00–9:15 Opening Speech

Mohamed Ibn Chambas, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of theUN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS)Dagmar Schmidt, Ambassador to Senegal, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, SwitzerlandYoussef Mahmoud, International Peace Institute (IPI)

9:15–9:25 Launch of Work

Coly Seck, Chief of Staff of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Senegal

9:25–9:45 Keynote Address

Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, Centre 4s, Mauritania

9:45–10:00 Coffee Break

10:00–11:30 First Plenary Session

Perceptions and Manifestations of Violent Extremism in West Africa and the Sahel-SaharaThis session will seek to understand how states, individuals, and organizations in West Africaand the Sahel-Sahara perceive and define the issue of violent extremism in the region. A seriesof recent surveys and perception studies conducted in various countries of the region will serveas a starting point for this conversation.

ChairCarol Mottet, Senior Adviser, Human Security Division, Federal Department of ForeignAffairs, Switzerland

PanelistsBouchra Benhida, Director, Center of Executive Education, Al Akhawayn University,Casablanca, MoroccoAhmed Labnouj, Researcher, InterpeaceMohamed Anacko, President, Regional Council of Agadez, NigerFabrice Boussalem, Sahel Program Coordinator, UNDP, SenegalReda Benkirane, Researcher, Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, Switzerland

11:30–1:00 Second Plenary Session

Subregional Dynamics and the Impact of Global Trends of Violent Extremism on WestAfrica and the Sahel-SaharaThis session will focus on subregional dynamics and the impact of global trends of violentextremism on West Africa and the Sahel-Sahara.

8

ChairMoudjib Djinadou, Political Director, UNOWAS, Senegal

PanelistsComfort Lamptey, Regional Adviser on Peace and Security, UN Women, SenegalDahane Ahmed Mahmoud, Mauritanian Institute for Strategic Studies (IMES), MauritaniaJean-Hervé Jézéquel, Deputy Director, West Africa Office, International Crisis Group, SenegalSalma Belaala, Senior Expert in Societal Prevention of Violent Radicalization in the Sahel-Maghreb, EU

1:00–2:00 Lunch

2:00–5:30 Thematic Working Groups

Policy Options and Best Practices for Successful PreventionThese groups will discuss a new approach to the issue of prevention of violent extremism bylooking at the factors associated with peaceful and resilient societies and offering alternatives toviolence (rather than just the factors fueling and support violence) and identifying examples ofhow states or communities and organizations seek to prevent extreme violence through: (1)political participation, improvement of state-citizen relations, and inclusive dialogue; (2)independent and responsible media coverage in a world driven by competition for information;and (3) regional approaches to prevention beyond borders. The participants will discuss gaps incurrent policies and options to further address the challenges they face.

Group 1: Political Participation, State-Citizen Relations and Inclusive Dialogue

ChairMarie-Joëlle Zahar, Professor of Political Science and Fellow, Centre for International Studiesand Research, University of Montreal, Canada

Group 2: Independent and Responsible Media Coverage in a World Driven byCompetition for Information

ChairKouider Zerrouk, Chief of Communications and Public Information, UNOWAS

Group 3: Subregional Approaches to Prevention beyond Borders

ChairLori-Anne Théroux-Bénoni, Director, West Africa Office, Institute for Security Studies, Dakar

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

9:30–11:00 Third Plenary Session

Presentation of the Work of the Working Group Sessions

ModeratorYoussef Mahmoud, International Peace Institute (IPI)

Investing in Peace and the Prevention of Violence 9

10 MEETING NOTE

12:00–13:00 Lunch

1:00–2:45 Fourth Plenary Session

Toward a Regional Perspective on the UN Secretary-General's Plan of Action to PreventViolent ExtremismReviewing the findings of the three working groups, panelists will examine the capacity of theUN and its partners to effectively address the issue of prevention of violent extremism insupport of national governments, local authorities, and communities through coordinatedaction at the subregional level in West Africa and the Sahel-Sahara. The session will seek todevelop a regional perspective on the UN Secretary-General's Plan of Action to Prevent ViolentExtremism, including the challenges and opportunities for the implementation of the plan inWest Africa and the Sahel.

ChairEdem Blege, Head of the Liaison Cell, UNOWAS, Mauritania

PanelistsEl Hadj Mohamed Najim, Permanent Secretariat, G5 Sahel, MauritaniaFatima Kyari Mohammed, Special Adviser, ECOWAS, NigeriaArthur Boutellis, International Peace Institute (IPI)Gilles Yabi, WATHI Citizen Think Tank of West Africa

2:45–3:00 Coffee Break

3:00–3:45 Conclusions and Closing Remarks

Dagmar Schmidt, Ambassador to Senegal, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, SwitzerlandYoussef Mahmoud, International Peace Institute (IPI)Mohamed Ibn Chambas, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head ofUNOWAS

3:45–4:15 Joint Communiqué (Switzerland/UN/IPI)

11

Mr. Ahmedou Ould-AbdallahCentre 4s, Mauritania

Ms. Olga AbilovaPolicy Analyst, IPI

Mr. Moussa Maed Amar Centre 4s, Nouakchott, Mauritania

Ms. Ngozi AmuChief, Research and Analysis Unit, UNOWAS,Senegal

Mr. Mohamed AnackoPresident, Regional Council of Agadez, Niger

Mr. Abdoulaye BâRepresentative of the Sahel, Cordoba Foundationof Geneva, Switzerland

Dr. Bouchra BenhidaDirector, Center of Executive Education, AlAkhawayn University, Casablanca, Morocco

Mr. Mehdi BarhoumiProgram Director, International Alert, Tunisia

Mr. Philippe BéguinDeputy Chief of Mission, Swiss Embassy, Senegal

Ms. Salma BelaalaSenior Expert in Societal Prevention of ViolentRadicalization in the Sahel-Maghreb, EU

Mr. Reda BenkiraneResearcher, Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue,Switzerland

Ms. Lori-Anne Théroux-BénoniDirector, West Africa Office, Institute for SecurityStudies, Senegal

Amb. Jean-Daniel BiélerSpecial Adviser for Central Africa, HumanSecurity Division, Federal Department of ForeignAffairs, Switzerland

Mr. Edem BlegeHead of the Liaison Cell, UNOWAS, Mauritania

Mr. David BouanchaudRegional Attaché in Charge of the Response toCrises in West Africa and the Great Lakes, EUDelegation to Senegal

Mr. Fabrice BoussalemSahel Program Coordinator, UNDP, Senegal

Mr. Arthur BoutellisDirector, Center for Peace Operations, IPI

Mr. Mohammed Ibn ChambasSpecial Representative of the Secretary-Generaland Head of UNOWAS, Senegal

Mr. Rémi CarayolJournalist, Jeune Afrique, Mali

Mr. Andrés Figueroa DávilaInformation Analyst, UNOWAS, Senegal

Mr. Michaël N. DidamaDirector of Publications, Le Temps; President,Association of Publishers of the Private Press ofChad (AEPT); President, Forum of Heads ofMedia of Central Africa (FREMAC), Chad

Mr. Moudjib DjinadouPolitical Director, UNOWAS, Senegal

Ms. Mousry Ahmed EthmaneStudent Researcher in Political Science andInternational Relations, Université Jean MoulinLyon III, France

Ms. Sarah FallHuman Rights Associate, Embassy in Senegal,Switzerland

Mr. Vincent FoucherPrincipal Analyst West Africa, West AfricaBureau, International Crisis Group, Senegal

Participants

Mr. Gatama GuibaiDirector of Publications, L'Oeil du Sahel,Cameroon

Ms. Amandine GnanguênonDirector of Policy and War Project, Institute ofAfrican Worlds (IMAF), Senegal

Ms. Nora GhelimInternational Organisation of the Francophonie,France

Ms. Pascal HolligerPolicy Adviser, Embassy in Nigeria, Switzerland

Mr. Napoleon IdamwenhorProgramme Manager, Centre for Democracy andDevelopment (CDD), Nigeria

Mr. Jean-Hervé JézéquelDeputy Director, West Africa Bureau,International Crisis Group, Senegal

Ms. Comfort LampteyRegional Adviser on Peace and Security, UNWomen, Senegal

Mr. Ahmed LabnoujResearcher, Interpeace, Morocco

Ms. Zahra' LanghiFounding Director, Libyan Women's Platform forPeace, Libya

Mr. Abdoulaye MaïgaAlert and Prevention Analyst, African Centre forthe Study and Research on Terrorism (ACSRT),African Union Commission, Algeria

Mr. Youssef MahmoudSenior Adviser, IPI

Mr. Dahane Ahmed Mahmoud Executive Director, Mauritanian Institute forStrategic Studies (IMES), Mauritania

Ms. Guadalupe MègreHead of the Prevention of Terrorism, UN Officeon Drugs and Crime, Senegal

Mr. Zakari MijinyawaProgram on Countering Violent Extremism,Office of the National Security Adviser, Nigeria

Mr. Najim El Hadj MohamedPermanent Secretariat, G5 Sahel, Mauritania

Ms. Fatima Kyari Mohammed Special Adviser, ECOWAS, Nigeria

Ms. Carol MottetSenior Adviser, Human Security Division, FederalDepartment of Foreign Affairs, Switzerland

Mr. El Houssein Ould NagiAdviser, Presidency of the Republic, Mauritania

Ms. Zipporah NdioneWest African Network of Young Women Leaders,Senegal

Brigadier General Paul NdiayeDirector, Center for Advanced Defense andSecurity Studies (CHEDS), Senegal

Mr. Philippe PrévostHead of Joint Mission Analysis Centre andChairman of the Joint Coordination Board,MINUSMA, Mali

Ms. Elisabeth SancerySection Head of Coordination and Partnerships,UNOWAS, Senegal

Ms. Oumou Sall SeckFormer Mayor of Goundam, Mali

Amb. Dagmar SchmidtAmbassador to Senegal, Federal Department ofForeign Affairs, Switzerland

Mr. El Haiba Sheikh SidatiJournalist, Al Akhbar, Mauritania

Mr. Aslam SouliVice-President, National Youth Initiative againstTerrorism, TunisiaMr. Adam ThiamJournalist, Le Républicain, Mali

12 MEETING NOTE

Mr. Massalbaye TenebayeAdviser for Human Rights, Prime Minister'sOffice, Chad

Mr. Guillaume ThibaultJournalist, Radio France Internationale, Senegal

Ms. Djeinaba Touré President, Je m’engage, Mauritania

Ms. Nana Touré-SyCoordinator of the Subregional Platform, UNDP,Senegal

Ms. Lea TriesDelegation of the EU, Senegal

Mr. Gilles YabiFounder, WATHI Citizen Think Tank of WestAfrica, Senegal

Mr. Hervé YonkeuEditor-in-Chief, BBC West Africa, Senegal

Prof. Marie-Joëlle ZaharProfessor of Political Science and Fellow, Centrefor International Studies and Research, Universityof Montreal, Canada

Mr. Kouider ZerroukChief of Communications and PublicInformation, UNOWAS, Senegal

Investing in Peace and the Prevention of Violence 13

The INTERNATIONAL PEACE INSTITUTE (IPI) is an independent,

international not-for-profit think tank dedicated to managing risk and

building resilience to promote peace, security, and sustainable

development. To achieve its purpose, IPI employs a mix of policy

research, strategic analysis, publishing, and convening. With staff

from more than twenty countries and a broad range of academic

fields, IPI has offices facing United Nations headquarters in New York

and offices in Vienna and Manama.

777 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY 10017-3521, USA

TEL +1-212-687-4300 FAX +1-212-983-8246

Freyung 3, 1010 Vienna, Austria

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