WANSED General Assembly

Members of the West African Network on Security and Democratic Governance analyzed new dynamics of military and civilian coup d’états and constitutional crises in the region, discussed the relations between politics, organized crime and terrorism, stressed the need to reclaim the discourse about terrorism in West Africa from external dominance, discussed strategies to deal with and to engage non-state actors in the provision of public safety, and evaluated regional approaches to strengthen democratic governance. They also took bold steps in the further institutionalisation of the network and the implementation of its statutes. Most importantly, the first Executive Board was elected: General Coordinator: Prof. Massaer Diallo (IEPS Senegal); Deputy Coordinator Research & Training: Dr Istifanus Zabadi (NDC Nigeria); Deputy Coordinator Advocacy & Political Dialogue: Dr Boubacar Diallo (RIESCA Niger), Administrative Secretary: Prof Christophe Kougniazondé (ABBAP Benin), Financial Secretary: Ctd. Carlos Reis (FAC Cap Verde). Moreover, Juliette Sow (IEPS) was appointed Coordinator for Public Relations and Gani Yoroms (NDC) Coordinator of the WANSED Journal.