Oxfam in Nigeria and the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) held a high-level meeting with President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray, to strengthen collaboration on peace, security, climate justice, and regional integration across West Africa. The discussions focused on addressing urgent inequalities and fostering more inclusive development strategies in the region.
Leading the delegation were Country Director of Oxfam Nigeria, John Makina, and Executive Director of CISLAC, Auwal Rafsanjani. Makina highlighted the severity of inequality in West Africa. “The region faces greater inequality challenges compared to other African blocs,” framing it as a crisis requiring immediate attention.
He praised ECOWAS for its ongoing commitment to humanity, rural integration, and inclusive growth, emphasizing Oxfam’s readiness to work closely with the Commission on governance, climate justice, and inequality issues.
Makina also disclosed that Oxfam and partners, including CISLAC, have developed a strategic framework for 2024–2029 to guide future engagement with ECOWAS. This document aims to secure the Commission’s support in tackling inequality and promoting inclusive development throughout the region.
On CISLAC’s side, Rafsanjani stressed the critical need for reducing economic inequality in Nigeria as essential to achieving sustainable and equitable growth. He said, “Advancing human rights, promoting social justice, ending poverty, and building a human economy that places people at the centre rather than profit is a necessity, not an option.” Rafsanjani also announced the imminent release of CISLAC’s 8th Annual SDG 16 Shadow Report at the United Nations General Assembly. The report independently evaluates Nigeria’s progress on peace, justice, and strong institutions, serving as a crucial accountability tool for policymakers, development partners, and citizens alike.
Reaffirming support for the ECOWAS Vision 2050, Rafsanjani highlighted the need to address regional security challenges, political instability, and ensure credible elections to build trust in governance across West Africa.
Touray welcomed the engagement as a strategic partnership, affirming the role of civil society in spearheading regional integration, peace, security, and trade. “Our people are one, and no one can divide us,” he asserted, urging civil society organizations to intensify efforts in educating citizens on both their rights and responsibilities.
The ECOWAS President highlighted the rising threat of disinformation and deep fakes in the region, compounded by educational gaps that allow false narratives to spread unchecked. He called for a united front involving governments, civil society, and the media to counter these challenges effectively.
Additionally, Touray emphasised the importance of climate justice advocacy, linking it to addressing pressing issues like the farmer-herder conflicts and other climate-related disputes. He assured Oxfam and CISLAC of ECOWAS’ readiness to collaborate on initiatives promoting peace, sustainable development, and regional integration.
Credit: The Sun