By Joyce Remi- Babayeju
The ECOWAS Commission has launched a Conflict Prevention Framework Document as it join countries around the world to commemorate the 2022 World Peace Day (WPD).
The Commission also used the occasion to pledge greater Commitment to regional peace and security at a ceremony which held in Abuja, Nigeria on the 21st of September 2022.
ECOWAS Commission President Dr. Omar Aliu Touray noted that the ECOWAS Conflict Prevention Framework (ECPF)’ special documentary highlights the regional bloc’s peace-building strides at the auspicious time when ECOWAS takes stock of and makes projections on its conflict prevention efforts -past, present and future.
Touray who was represented by his Special Adviser, Ambassador Mambury Njie, said, ‘‘achieving true peace entails much more than laying down arms. It requires the building of societies where all members feel that they can flourish. It involves creating a world in which people are treated equally, regardless of their ethnicity, religion and race.”
Touray stated that the ideals of the WPD is in tandem with the ECOWAS Vision 2050 which envisages a fully integrated Community of peoples, living in a peaceful and prosperous region, with strong institutions and respect for fundamental rights and freedom, striving for inclusive and sustainable development.
Also speaking at the occasion, the President of the ECOWAS Community Court, Hon Justice Edward Asante who was represented by the Chief Registrar of the Institution Mr. Tony Anene-Maidoh said, “for a region whose recent history is dominated by wars and political upheavals, community citizens, now have a greater appreciation of the imperative of peace as a critical foundation for constructing our integration edifice.”
In his goodwill message, the United Nations Resident Coordinator for Nigeria represented by Mr. Ronald Kayanja hinted that the theme of this year’s celebration: End Racism. Build Peace”, stressed the need for a united front against all evils in societies and communities, adding ,” instead of fighting one another, let’s come together to fight our common enemy; racism, poverty, climate change.”
After an exultation on the virtues of Peace by the chief host and ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security (CPAPS), Dr. Abdel-Fatau Musa, represented by the Director, Peace-keeping and Regional Security, Dr. Cyriaque Agnekethom, spoke on the importance of peace.
The high point of the event was the symbolic launch of the ECPF special documentary which was done on behalf of the CPAPS by the Head of Division, Mediation and Coordination of Regional Political Affairs (MCRPA) Dr. Onyinye Onwuka.
Daybreak reports that the International Day of Peace was established by the United Nations in 1981 and represents a symbolic globally shared date for humanity to commit to Peace above all differences and to contribute to building a Culture of Peace.
Participants at the ECOWAS WPD commemoration also included Members of the Diplomatic Corps, key regional peace and security actors as well as development partners.
