History of WACSOF

The idea of creating the West African Civil Society Forum was based on the need to create an institutionalized dialogue between regional civil society organization (CSOs) and the ECOWAS Secretariat. It is based on the recognition that civil society members from throughout West Africa have extensive experience in their various fields of expertise and are able to make valuable contributions to ECOWAS, thereby enhancing the human security capacities of ECOWAS.

In an effort to formalize entry points for this interaction, International Alert and the Centre for Democracy & Development (CDD) organized a two-day consultation in with ECOWAS in May 2003 at the ECOWAS Secretariat in Abuja. The consultation brought together over 45 participants, including members of CSOs, ECOWAS Zonal Officers, governmenty representatives, donors and experts from the region, to discuss and strategize on issues of regional human security.

The consultation concluded with the adoption of a communiqué encouraging ECOWAS and CSOs to institutionalize their relationship and to pursue a coordinated human security agenda. To consolidate this process, the consultation formed an ad hoc committee of ECOWAS and civil society members, and the concept of the West African Civil Society Forum born.