Regional Citizen’s Dialogue Programme, an initiative for preventing and responding to unconstitutional changes of government in West Africa, opens in Abuja today.
According to The PUNCH, this was made available in a statement on Monday, leaders of the RCDP initiative are also scheduled to pay a courtesy call on the leadership of the National Assembly today (Tuesday).
The dialogue will feature representatives of the European Union, the Economic Community of West African States, the African Union and some civil society organisations.
Other participants include the West African Democracy Solidarity Group; the Commissioner, Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security; and the Portuguese Ambassador to Nigeria, Paulo Martins dos Santos, among others.
The statement reads in part, “Participants at the launch of the RCDP, a two-day programme at Reiz Hotel in Abuja, are expected from civil society groups in West Africa and other parts of the continent, including representatives of regional agencies and institutions in Europe.
“The launch event will serve as a platform for participants to present, finalise and adopt a revised programme document and a comprehensive yearly implementation work plan for the initial phase of the programme, spanning from February to September 2024,” the statement said.
“The RCDP is also an attempt by CSOs to support efforts by the African Union and its partners in the implementation of the main outcomes of the AU Accra Declaration on Unconstitutional Changes of Government in Africa (March 2022) and the Malabo Declaration on Terrorism and Unconstitutional Changes of Government in Africa, adopted at the 16th Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union Head of States on May 22, 2022.”
