OUR WORK
We recognise that West Africa is a region of immense cultural, ethnic, linguistic, and social diversity, which is a source of strength and resilience. We are committed to embracing and celebrating this diversity, ensuring our work is inclusive and reflects the region’s rich and varied heritage.
Africa Network of Critical Scholars
Africa Network of Critical Security Scholars (ANeCS) is a network of scholars both in the continent and the diaspora dedicated to challenging traditional security narratives and promoting critical thinking in Africa. Our mission with ANeCS is to highlight the work of critical security scholars in Africa, and disseminate critical knowledge to a wider public, to the everyday spheres of society, thereby promoting critical scholarship and security practice through advocacy, and research.
CAPS-WA Book Project
The Centre for Alternative Politics & Security, West Africa (CAPS-WA) calls for chapters for its upcoming edited volume titled Peace and Security in West Africa: Indigeneity, Politics and the Local-Local Turn. This volume builds on the "local turn" in International Relations and Peace Research, which emphasises local agency and knowledge. The "local turn" in peace and conflict research has garnered significant attention for emphasising the inclusion of local actors and contexts in peacebuilding and conflict resolution processes (Mac Ginty & Richmond, 2013; Mac Ginty, 2015; Richmond, 2011). However, this approach often falls short of genuinely centring the voices and agency of local communities, as it tends to treat "the local" as a monolithic category and privileges actors with access to elite networks or international platforms (Paffenholz, 2015). Thus, while “local turn” represents a fundamental shift from the liberal peacebuilding project (Paffenholz, 2015), the failure of interventions to consider local perspectives and promote local micro-level agency and ownership highlights the need for conceptual clarity.
Mentoring Peace
Mentoring Peace is a flagship project designed to build resilience, foster security awareness, and promote peace among the next generation of West Africans. The initiative emphasizes a grassroots approach to peacebuilding, working directly with communities, schools, and institutions to cultivate a culture of dialogue, understanding, and security from an early age. Each year, typically in June and July, the program's founder, alongside a dedicated team, travels across various West African regions, engaging with local youth, educators, and community leaders. These visits are not merely lectures but conversations — focused on exploring the critical need for lasting peace and security in the face of complex regional challenges. Through interactive discussions, workshops, and collaborative activities, Mentoring Peace empowers young people to become active participants in shaping a peaceful and enduring West Africa. Despite the lack of external funding, the program has thrived, entirely supported by the founder's private income. The program's slogan of "Building Peace, from the Ground Up!" reflects our mission and vision of a resilient, secure West Africa built on the collective strength of its youth. Until additional funding is secured, the program will continue this vital work, reaching as many young minds as possible, one community at a time, ensuring that the values of peace and security take root and flourish across the region.
For a resilient, more secure West Africa
We’re reimagining security in West Africa—one that includes everyone. Join us in building a secure and prosperous future for the region. Whether you want to partner with us, contribute to our research, or support community empowerment, your involvement makes a real difference.