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HOW PEACEFUL PROTESTERS IN GUINEA BISSAU WERE ARRESTED

22 May 2024
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Categories: Situation Monitoring Center

The Issue

On Saturday 18th May 2024, a group of peaceful protesters from the Front Popular, a political movement in Guinea Bissau were arrested by security forces in Bissau. Acting on order of the Minister of the Interior, the security forces disrupted a scheduled peaceful demonstration and proceeded to detain numerous protesters, including the leaders of the organization.

The peaceful march was organized with the objective of demanding the restoration of the rule of law and democracy, as well as addressing the pressing issue of high food prices. The arrests escalated into uncontrolled violence, including the beating and arrest of individuals not involved in the demonstration.

Response by Civil Society:

The Network of Human Rights Defenders in Guinea-Bissau has issued a statement denouncing the abusive actions of the security forces in Guinea Bissau sanctioned by the Interior Ministry. It also calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all those detained during the demonstration.

Call to Action

  • Civil Society must demand for the protection of civil liberties, especially the need to safeguard the rights of citizens to express their grievances peacefully. Civil society in Guinea Bissau must actively resist any and all actions that suppress these rights.
  • The Government of Guinea Bissau should investigate the issues thoroughly and hold those responsible for the excessive use of force against peaceful demonstrators, particularly the Minister of the Interior and the Secretary of State, to equity.

For inquiries and further information, please contact us at:

West African Civil Society Forum (WACSOF)

8, Jaba Close, Opposite FCDA Minister’s Gate

Area 11, Garki Abuja – Nigeria

Tel: +234 903 393 9809

Email: info@wacsofoscao.org

Website: www.wacsofoscao.org 

The West African Civil Society Forum’s (WACSOF) Situation Alert serves to keep the public informed about the latest developments occurring across the West African region and how they affect civil society in general. Through concise updates, it aims to raise awareness about critical issues around, human rights, democracy, social justice, peace, security and stability. By disseminating timely information, the Situation Alert empowers individuals and organizations to stay informed and take necessary actions to address pressing concerns in the region.

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Wacsof Applauds Raypower FM for Highlighting Senegal Election update!

8 April 2024
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Categories: WACSOF in the News

WACSOF (West African Civil Society Forum) is delighted to express its sincere appreciation to Raypower FM for publishing the recent news update we posted regarding the ongoing Senegal election. We acknowledge the critical role that media platforms like Raypower FM plays in disseminating vital information to the public and fostering a well-informed citizenry across West Africa.

Highlighing Raypower FM’s Contribution

Raypower FM’s decision to share WACSOF’s news update demonstrates a commitment to amplifying the voices of civil society organizations (CSOs) working to promote peace, democracy, and human rights in the region. By publishing our update, Raypower FM has undoubtedly contributed to raising awareness about the crucial Senegal election and its potential impact on the future of West Africa.

Call to Action for Continued Support

WACSOF extends this gratitude to all media outlets that consistently support our endeavors. We urge Raypower FM and other news platforms across West Africa to continue providing a platform for CSOs to share their perspectives and engage with the public on matters of regional importance.

WACSOF, as a leading regional CSO, is dedicated to advocating for positive change and empowering West Africans to shape their own destiny. We believe that through collaborative efforts between CSOs and media platforms, we can foster a more informed, engaged, and empowered West African populace.

Conclusion

WACSOF reiterates its appreciation to Raypower FM for its support. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with media outlets like Raypower FM to promote peace, democracy, and human rights in West Africa. Together, we can make a positive difference in the lives of millions.

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West African Civil Society Forum (WACSOF) Condemns The Exit Of Burkina Faso, Mali, And Niger from ECOWAS and Calls on ECOWAS to Review Sanctions

1 February 2024
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Categories: Press Release

[30/01/2024]– The West African Civil Society Forum (WACSOF), the umbrella body of the civil society organizations in the West African region, expresses grave concern over the decision of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to exit the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). This action seems hasty as it does not take into account the established international procedure and norms governing the withdrawal of any party to the treaty of ECOWAS as enshrined in article 91 of the ECOWAS Treaty, which clearly specifies a 1-year notice of withdrawal.

We note that the implications of this decision of the triad on regional integration and development in West Africa and Africa as a whole are significant in the long term if allowed to stand. The impact will reverberate across multiple spheres of life in West Africa and on the livelihoods of West Africans, especially the citizens of the three countries. Indeed, the overall impact of this abrupt development raises specific concerns regarding the future of collective regional efforts in West Africa, especially the fight against terrorism, plans for democratic consolidation, the pace of regional economic development, and progress in addressing challenges related to climate change in the region. These implications are simply not acceptable!

WACSOF, therefore, strongly urges Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to retrace their steps and reconsider their decision to exit ECOWAS. We urge them to explore diplomatic channels and engage in meaningful dialogue to address any underlying issues that may have precipitated their decision to withdraw from ECOWAS. It is our fervent hope that the three countries will recognize the potential harm that their actions may cause and work towards resolving their concerns within the established framework of ECOWAS.

On the other hand, WACSOF pleads with ECOWAS to review the array of sanctions imposed on the three countries, especially the aspects that have to do with intra-regional trade, economic and financial transactions. As we had highlighted in our earlier letter to the Chairperson of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government dated December 7, 2023, ahead of the December 10, 2023 Summit, these aspects of the sanctions have only served to cause hardships and economic woes for the citizens. We equally note that such harsh sanctions have additionally alienated the citizens of the Member States in question, which is inimical to the goals of regional integration that ECOWAS promotes.

WACSOF strongly requests the ECOWAS Chairperson to speedily convene an extraordinary summit of the Authority of Heads of State and Government in order to collectively re-examine the situation as well as speedily adopt and implement a set of practical strategies to address the current diplomatic impasse.

WACSOF remains committed to supporting and promoting regional cooperation and integration for the benefit of all West African citizens, in line with the objectives of the ECOWAS Vision 2020. We stand ready to engage in constructive dialogue and advocacy efforts to support any initiatives towards addressing the implications of this abrupt exit of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from ECOWAS, as well as to find a collaborative way forward for the entire region.

Kop’ep Dabugat

General Secretary

West African Civil Society Forum (WACSOF)

Tel: +234 803652 3475

Email: kopep.dabugat@wacsofoscao.org

Website: www.wacsofoscao.org

WACSOF-FOSCAO PRESS RELEASE

4 August 2023
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Categories: Press Release

A CALL FOR SWIFT RETURN TO CONSTITUTIONAL AND DEMOCRATIC ORDER IN NIGER AND A REVIEW OF THE ECOWAS SUPPLEMENTARY PROTOCOL ON DEMOCRACY AND GOOD GOVERNANCE TO PREVENT FURTHER UNCONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES OF GOVERNMENT IN WEST AFRICA

The West African Civil Society Forum (WACSOF) is following with great concern the very delicate political situation in the Republic of Niger where a military coup has taken place, thus distorting the country’s democratic process.

The Forum unequivocally condemns the coups and calls for the immediate and unconditional release of President Mohamed Bazoum and other persons detained following the coup. It also calls on the General Abdourahamane Tiani led junta to respect human rights and the rule of law, by lifting the restrictions Imposed on the constitution and the National Assembly. The civilian population, in particular civil society and the media must not be subjected to any form of intimidation and coercion.

In the wake of this development, we wish to express our deep dissatisfaction with the recurring trends of socio-political crises in the ECOWAS region and their attendant consequences. The implication of this coup is huge: While it places all the Sahelian countries in West Africa under military rule and inches the region as a whole further into democratic backsliding; it also draws attention to the deficit of good governance across the entire West African countries, thus challenging the currency of the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.

Hence, while WACSOF admonishes the military junta and all the country’s security forces to adhere strictly to their republican vocation of defending and maintaining the country’s security and territorial integrity, it also challenges the ECOWAS Commission to revisit the spirit and letter of its legal instruments and frameworks related to good governance, democratization, unconstitutional changes of government, anti-corruption etc. and define more innovative strategies for resolving such political impasse in the future.

Finally, WACSOF strongly advises the international community and ECOWAS in particular, and the Military junta in the Republic of Niger to seek diplomatic solutions to return the country to constitutional rule in the shortest time possible and in consideration of the best interests of the entire Nigerien citizenry.