On September 28-29, 2021, Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC) – in collaboration with the Nigerien Ministry of Defense and the Nigerian Army War College– held a Pan-African Workshop on the Protection of Civilians (PAW-POC). The two-day workshop, which served as a high level, first of its kind forum to discuss best practices on the protection of civilians, brought together 86 generals, senior military officers, and high-level representatives from seven different countries, the G5 Sahel Joint Force, the African Union, and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). The event culminated in a visit with President Bazoum of Niger at the Presidential Palace.
Following the successful workshop, the “Niamey Communique” was drafted to document a collection of ideas and recommendations discussed during the PAW-POC and to promote the protection of civilians across the continent. Participants at the workshop particularly emphasized the significance and urgency of implementing policies to enhance the capacity of security forces to better protect civilians.
The “Niamey Communique” solely expresses the observations and recommendations shared by security practitioners and experts at the workshop and represents the attendees’ support for enhancing civilian protection throughout Africa.
Read the full “Niamey Communique” in English here, and in French here.
The Pan-African Workshop on the Protection of Civilians was supported by European Union (EU)- and Government of Denmark-funded grants to advance the protection of civilians in the Sahel, Nigeria, and East Africa.
