West Africa

We work in Nigeria and the Mano River region, developing community-led peacebuilding initiatives which put the people most affected by conflicts at the center of efforts to resolve them.

The Mano River countries of West Africa are dealing with the legacies of years of brutal civil war and continued lack of accountability. Whilst Nigeria is still in the midst of the Boko Haram insurgency – with new conflicts now arising over resource scarcity. In West Africa, porous borders mean conflict in one country can threaten the whole region’s prospects for peace. 

    Youth Peace Platform in northeast Nigeria
    Nigeria

    In Nigeria, escalating inter-communal tension has destabilised and divided communities, the Boko Haram insurgency (and its offshoot Islamic State in West Africa) has displaced over 2.3 million people, and conflict over land and resources has led to widespread violence. In the northeast of the country and Plateau state, we work with those most affected by conflict, supporting them to develop the skills and confidence required to jointly find creative ways to find alternatives to violence. 

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    Mano River Bridge between Sierra Leone and Liberia
    Mano River Region

    In Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, two civil wars and two political crises displaced millions of people and caused widespread underdevelopment, particularly in border regions. Armed conflicts are officially over, but political tensions and insecurity remain high and the legacies of conflict continue to shape people’s lives and opportunities.  We have been working in the Mano River region since 1996, focused on supporting dialogue between civil society and governments to prevent renewed outbreaks of violence.

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    Mamu

    To be successful in peacebuilding is to be respectful and transparent in your community. Let people respect you as a leader. Work along with people who will understand you, and show them how they too could be a peacebuilder. 

    Mamu Paasewe
    Liberia
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    Our work in action

    In West Africa we develop community-led initiatives which put those most affected by conflict at the heart of efforts to build peace. Explore our work in action.

    Deeper learning

    Explore our Learning Hub for insights, research and publications from our work in West Africa.
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    Publications

      Research reports
      Accord
      Young people taking part in a workshop in northeast Nigeria

      Our partners in West Africa

      Our programme partners are at the heart of what we do. These relationships, often developed over years and even decades, are crucial to making peace possible.
      Partners in West Africa
      Our staff in West Africa