The West Africa Net­work for Peacebuilding (WANEP) yesterday con­vened its 18th General Assembly, bringing together stakeholders to discuss the future of multilat­eralism and regionalism in West Africa.

The two-day meeting, themed: ‘Shaping the Future of Multilat­eralism and Regionalism in West Africa,’ aims to explore challenges and opportunities for civil society organisations (CSOs) in promot­ing peace, security, and sustainable development in the region.

Speaking at the opening of the meeting in Accra, the Executive Director of WANEP, Mrs Levinia Addae-Mensah, emphasised the significance of the successful conduct of elections in Ghana and Senegal in 2024, stating that these events have strengthened democracy in West Africa.

“The success story of Ghana and Senegal election, 2024, gives us a new sense of hope for the region,” she said.

Mrs Addae-Mensah highlight­ed the complexities facing West Africa, including expanding insecurities, growing terrorism, democratic backsliding, region­al fragmentation, and violent extremism.

She noted that these challenges have led to increased humanitari­an effects, affecting energy access, education, and other critical areas.

She highlighted the impor­tance of adapting to the rapidly evolving landscape, and lasting solutions to the challenges, citing successes in promoting peaceful democratic transitions in countries like Ghana and Senegal.

Despite these challenges, Mrs Addae-Mensah indicated that WANEP has played a critical role in promoting peaceful democratic transitions in countries like Ghana and Senegal.

The Executive Director noted that the future of CSOs in West Africa and Africa at large was at a critical juncture, as the region navigated significant shifts in mul­tilateralism and regionalism.

A Research Fellow, Legon Cen­tre for International Affairs and Diplomacy (LECIAD), University of Ghana, Dr Philip Attuquayefio, stated that the evolving landscape of multilateralism and regional­ism in West Africa, marked by declining influence of Western-led international institutions, rising authoritarianism, and deepening economic integration.

Additionally, he noted the future of CSOs in West Africa amidst key shifts in multilateralism and regionalism would be defined by their adaptability, innovation, and strategic engagement.

“So CSOs must be bold, inno­vative, and strategic in their ap­proach to navigating the complex and evolving landscape, by doing so, they can ensure that the region remains on a path towards peace, security, and prosperity for all,” he highlighted.

The Executive Secretary of the National Peace Council, Dr George Amoh, emphasised the urgent need to safeguard demo­cratic gains in West Africa, which were being eroded by conflicts