Benchmarking the Early Warning Function

The EASF Early Warning team conducted a benchmarking Exercise at the Headquarters of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) from 17th - 19th July, 2017 in Abuja, Nigeria .

The benchmarking Exercise was organized to share ideas and experiences on the status of operation of the ECOWAS Early Warning System (ECOWARN), and to enhance cooperation between EASF and ECOWAS. The ECOWAS Early System (ECOWARN) is one of the most comprehensive systems in Africa.  It contains facilities for capturing a broad range data items, analyzing and presenting reports that facilitate rapid decision-making on conflict prevention and intervention at various levels.   

Dr Cyriaque Agneketon, Director, Directorate of Peacekeeping and Security (DPKRS), ECOWAS, graced the opening session, accompanied by technical staff from the ECOWARN and representatives from other departments of ECOWAS. He expressed appreciation of the visit by EASF as an opportunity for the two regional organisations to learn from each other.

The EASF Early Warning function falls under the Peace Operation Department which forms part of the overall EASF strategy to develop a fully integrated and functional EASF early warning and response system capable of detecting potential threats and conflict, and enabling appropriate response mechanisms.   The Exercise comes at a time when EASF is strengthening capacities to support the ongoing peace initiatives in the Eastern Africa region.

The EASF team comprises one political analyst and two conflict analysts who are responsible for monitoring and analyzing conflict in the Eastern Africa region and providing information that can facilitate response mechanisms.

Photo Gallery: EASF Early Warning Team in a Benchmarking Exercise