The West Africa Programme at International Alert (IA) has been actively working with partners from the region for many years in seeking to transform conflicts in the area through projects that contribute to bringing about social justice and peace. We are very much aware that other actors have also played a role in conflict transformation in the region. This overview is designed to provide an insight into the history of IA’s work there, particularly since the inception of the West Africa Programme in 1998. It provides the context for our engagement in the region, a summary of our projects and work in the area, and an overview of our current strategies. The work of the West Africa Programme would not be possible without the ongoing support of our national and international funders and the dedication and hard work of our partners. We are grateful to them, as well as to our colleagues at International Alert for their ongoing commitment towards achieving peace and social justice in the West African region. In particular, I wish to thank Gilonne D'Origny, Olu Arowobuyose and Agnes E'bo for their support in the challenging early stages of development of the Programme, the dynamic staff of the current Programme team and Elizabeth Drake for her extensive editorial assisstance with this report. Finally, I extend my gratitude to my senior informal advisors Tajudeen Abdul- Raheem, General-Secretary of the Global Pan-African Movement, Thomas Jaye, Senior Researcher and Consultant at the Community Development and Advocacy Centre (CODAC), Zack Wiliams, Lecturer at Preston University, Zaya Yeebo of Minority Rights Group UK and Bibinae Mbaye, Consultant, Senegal.
