West Africa is currently undergoing a complex transformation process and faces persistent challenges to peace and security. In the 1970s, a process of regional integration began in the form of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). This organisation, which originally had the exclusive aim of increasing the region’s economic development and living standards, has contributed significantly to the creation of spaces for consultation and the consolidation of cultural and economic flows that have had a positive impact on the region’s progress. However, it has also taken on issues of political and military integration, as it has confronted the spread of insecurity in the Sahel, social inequality, the rise of violent extremism, inter-ethnic conflict and the scourge of climate change. This has led to the spread of currents of profound institutional instability and an increase in citizen distrust on issues central to life in society, and weakened the commitment to the rule of law.

A commitment to transparent electoral processes and the fight against disinformation

In this context, FIAP is participating, from November 2024 to October 2027, in the project ‘EU Support To The ECOWAS In Peace, Security And Governance (EPSG)’ together with the German cooperation (GIZ), which is leading the project, and the French cooperation (Expertise France), promoting transparent, peaceful and democratic national electoral processes in ECOWAS member states Nigeria, Benin and Gambia.

To carry out this mandate, FIAP will support institutions and civil society organisations involved in institution building, human rights and the consolidation of democratic structures and processes. This work will be carried out primarily with organisations in the field of media and civil society. Initiatives will be promoted to consolidate fact-checking tools, to combat disinformation and hate speech, to support independent platforms for access to information that favour citizen participation in the political sphere, in particular of young people and women, to strengthen institutional capacities, to support electoral security committees and to promote regional synergies.