Today marks the opening of the Regional Citizen’s Dialogue Programme in Abuja, an effort to stop and address unlawful changes of administration in West Africa.
Representatives from the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States, the European Union, and a few civil society organizations will participate in the discussion.
The Portuguese Ambassador to Nigeria, Paulo Martins dos Santos, the Commissioner of Political Affairs, Peace and Security, and the West African Democracy Solidarity Group are among the other participants.
RCDP initiative leaders are also expected to make a courtesy call on the National Assembly leadership today (Tuesday), according to a statement made known by The PUNCH on Monday.
“Participants at the launch of the RCDP, a two-day programme at Reiz Hotel in Abuja, are expected from civil society groups in West Africa and other parts of the continent, including representatives of regional agencies and institutions in Europe.
“The launch event will serve as a platform for participants to present, finalise and adopt a revised programme document and a comprehensive yearly implementation work plan for the initial phase of the programme, spanning from February to September 2024,” the statement said.
Director General of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos, Nigeria, Prof. Ayo Omatayo also made a statement saying, “The initiative is a sequel to the concern over the recent wave of military coups across West Africa that threaten the future of democracy and political stability amidst persistent and growing economic hardship, poverty, and security crises induced by violent extremist organisations on the continent.
“The RCDP is also an attempt by CSOs to support efforts by the African Union and its partners in the implementation of the main outcomes of the AU Accra Declaration on Unconstitutional Changes of Government in Africa (March 2022) and the Malabo Declaration on Terrorism and Unconstitutional Changes of Government in Africa, adopted at the 16th Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union Head of States on May 22, 2022.”
According to Omatayo, the dialogue will also seek to strengthen ties with current projects and ongoing initiatives like the West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network and the AU ECOSOCC Annual Citizen’s Dialogue Forum. Additionally, during its implementation phase, it will provide a forum for enhancing collaboration and complementarity between civil society organizations and ECOWAS institutional mechanisms in response to unconstitutional changes in West African government.
“Already, representatives from the AU African Peer-Review Mechanism (APRM); the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Headquarters; the West African Democracy Solidarity Group; the Commissioner, Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS); and the Portuguese Ambassador to Nigeria, Paulo Martins dos Santos, amongst others, have confirmed attendance.
“Participants at the launch of the RCDP, a two-day programme at Reiz Hotel in Abuja, are expected from civil society groups in West Africa and other parts of the continent, including representatives of regional agencies and institutions in Europe.
“The launch event will serve as a platform for participants to present, finalise and adopt a revised programme document and a comprehensive yearly implementation work plan for the initial phase of the programme, spanning from February to September 2024,” Omatayo said.
