West African bloc to hold anti-terrorism meeting in Niger Republic

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) plans to organize a stakeholders meeting aimed at addressing terrorism challenges facing the region, an official said Monday.

The meeting, themed "ECOWAS education for peace through inter religious dialogue", is scheduled for October in Niger Republic, Abdoulaye Maga, ECOWAS Director of Education, Culture, Science and Technology said in Abuja, Nigeria's capital.

He said the forum was crucial in ensuring a lasting peace in the region, noting that the forum became necessary in view of the continued dangers posed by terrorists to the socio-economic well- being of West Africa and beyond.

The forum would further identify aspects of ensuring peace through adequate sensitization of the people and inter religious dialogue among faith groups, he added.

The ECOWAS director told reporters that the sensitization programs would target secondary and tertiary schools in the region.

"The sensitization will start with students in schools as stakeholders because they are the future leaders," he added.

"It will also be extended to religious groups, traditional leaders, governments at various levels to brainstorm to see ways of ensuring peace in our communities," he said.

Some of the African countries that have experienced significant levels of terrorist activities include Mali, Nigeria, Niger, Uganda, Cameroun, Kenya, Somalia and Algeria. Endite