In commemoration of the 2023 International Day of Peace, the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), Akwa Ibom State Chapter, on Friday, called for stronger collaboration between the government and civil society to enhance peace and security in the region. During a press briefing which held in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital metropolis, the organization emphasized the pivotal role that civil society plays in peacebuilding and encouraged partnerships to address Nigeria’s current threats to peace and security NEGROIDHAVEN can report authoritatively.
The International Day of Peace, established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1981, aims to promote non-violence and cease-fire worldwide. This year’s theme, “Actions for Peace: Our Ambition for the #GlobalGoals,” underscores the importance of individual and collective responsibility in fostering peace. WANEP highlighted that peace contributes significantly to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and that peace is needed more than ever, given the ongoing challenges of war, conflict, climate change, inequality, and political polarization.
Civil society organizations have a critical role to play in peacebuilding, according to WANEP. These roles include protecting citizens from violence, monitoring human rights violations and peace agreement implementations, advocating for peace and human rights, socializing values of peace and democracy, and facilitating dialogues at local and national levels. These activities aim to create a secure environment for economic development in communities.
In the context of the South South geo-political zone, civil society organizations are essential in addressing issues such as piracy, militancy, kidnapping, gang conflicts, armed robbery, ritualistic killings, mob violence, sexual violence, human trafficking, communal disputes, separatist agitation, and more. The grassroots presence of civil society organizations allows them to understand the needs of communities and leverage this knowledge for peacebuilding.
WANEP also emphasized the importance of women’s participation in peace and security. The organization called for the development of legal frameworks and policies that promote the inclusion of women and women’s platforms in peacebuilding and conflict resolution.
WANEP called for the redesign of peacebuilding intervention strategies in communities, with civil society organizations as key drivers. They stressed the need for sustainability plans and community ownership of peacebuilding processes. Additionally, traditional methods of peacebuilding in communities should be revisited to address the unique challenges and dynamics of each region.
The International Day of Peace serves as a reminder of the crucial role that peace plays in achieving global goals and sustainable development. WANEP, Akwa Ibom State Chapter, expressed its commitment to fostering peace and called on all stakeholders, including the government and civil society, to work together to build a more peaceful and secure future.
