Introduction
The emerging regional security threats in West Africa, including terrorism, insurgencies, trafficking, and organised crime, are increasingly recognised as contagious security situations. Tackling this contagion requires innovative, non-militarised strategies that foster understanding and cooperation among border communities.
One of the non-militarised ways of confronting this regional challenge, as suggested by experts at a two-day high-level international conference organised at the Lancaster Hotel, Accra, Ghana, by the Centre for Intelligence and Security Analysis (CISA Ghana), on Thursday, 7 November and Friday, 8 November 2024, is the use of cultural exchange programmes coupled with intelligence-sharing and the promotion of preventive diplomacy. This article focuses on the idea of using cultural exchange programmes to fight security contagion.
Cultural exchange programmes offer a promising solution, providing platforms for building trust, mutual respect, and collaboration between neighbouring countries. These programs are designed to promote mutual understanding and cooperation by allowing individuals from different cultural backgrounds to share their customs, traditions, and perspectives. Examples include art and music exchanges, youth leadership initiatives, and student exchanges. Such initiatives can create resilient networks against the influence of extremism and terrorist networks.
The Concept of Cultural Exchange for Regional Stability
Cultural exchange programmes allow communities to engage through art, music, sports, and traditional knowledge-sharing, strengthening cultural ties across borders. In regions with shared ethnic, linguistic, and cultural traits, such as West Africa, these exchanges build on existing social connections. Programmes can range from joint cultural festivals and youth camps to collaborative art and heritage conservation projects. According to UNESCO, cultural initiatives not only preserve countries’ heritage but also reinforce social cohesion by fostering solidarity and shared identity, which is critical in countering radical ideologies and reducing susceptibility to conflict. Cultural exchange reduces prejudice and fosters community resilience against violence by establishing common ground among diverse groups.
Countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, and Ghana have undertaken successful cultural exchange projects, often supported by ECOWAS or the African Union. A relevant ECOWAS initiative for border community engagement in West Africa is the Sikasso-Korhogo-Bobo Dioulasso (SKBo) cross-border cooperation area, where Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, and Mali intersect. This region has become a focal point for promoting cross-border social and economic ties through cultural exchange programs. Activities in this area involve partnerships that address community development, peacebuilding, and economic resilience, supported by ECOWAS. Programmes here emphasise improving livelihoods through agricultural cooperation, enhancing mutual understanding, and supporting peacebuilding efforts to counteract security challenges in these regions.
For instance, the ACP-EU Culture Programme, which was officially launched in October 2019 during the 5th Meeting of ACP (Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States) Ministers of Culture in Niamey, Niger, is a partnership between the European Union (EU) and the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS). It is designed to strengthen cultural and creative industries across ACP countries. This program has actively promoted West African cultural content through art, theatre, and film. The ACP-EU Culture Programme also features a digital platform called CultureXchange, which facilitates knowledge sharing and networking. These initiatives have shown great success in empowering youth and marginalised communities, providing a productive alternative to engaging in extremism and fostering a sense of belonging among them.
Cultural exchange programmes create safe spaces for dialogue and affirm local identities that help counteract the pull of extremist ideologies.
How Cultural Exchanges Address Security Contagion
Cultural exchange programs can play a critical role in reducing threat spillovers in several ways. First, by fostering local ownership, they empower communities to take responsibility for their security and welfare. Programs that bring together people from both sides of a border help build networks that are less vulnerable to external manipulation by extremist groups. Additionally, cultural exchanges can serve as early-warning networks. For instance, regular inter-community contact can provide insights into rising tensions or shifts in group sentiment, enabling authorities to intervene proactively.
Second, these programmes contribute to social integration, countering the narratives of radical groups that exploit social and economic disenfranchisement. As outlined by experts on regional integration, ECOWAS’ social policies underscore the importance of inclusivity and cross-border collaboration. Such initiatives foster social dialogue and encourage democratic participation, addressing grievances that often underpin conflicts and radicalisation.
Another way cultural exchange programmes help address security contagion is by fostering critical thinking and resilience, especially among young people in border communities. These programs often incorporate educational elements that promote awareness of regional history, peaceful conflict resolution, and the negative impacts of extremism. By engaging youth in discussions about their shared cultural heritage and the values of tolerance and mutual respect, the influence of radical ideologies is significantly reduced if not eliminated.
Awareness is important as extremist groups often exploit socio-economic grievances and a lack of cross-border understanding to recruit young people. Cultural exchanges build an informed and resilient community base, equipping individuals with the skills to resist manipulation and recognise harmful propaganda by extremists.
Challenges
While cultural exchange programs are beneficial, challenges such as funding limitations, logistical issues, and security risks persist. Political instability in certain West African countries also complicates the implementation of these initiatives. Addressing these issues requires multilateral support and partnerships with international organisations, as well as backing from local governments to ensure the sustainability of these programs. By partnering with NGOs and private entities, governments can secure more resources and implement programs that have a long-term impact on border stability.
Conclusion
Cultural exchange programmes offer a feasible path to addressing security contagion in West Africa by building trust, fostering regional identity, and enhancing cooperation among border communities. These programmes not only celebrate shared cultural heritage but also create platforms for dialogue and peacebuilding, counteracting divisive narratives and reducing the appeal of extremist movements. Strengthening these programs through consistent funding, local involvement, and cross-border collaboration could lead to a more secure, cohesive, and resilient West Africa. Ultimately, integrating cultural exchange into regional security frameworks presents an innovative, human-centred approach to stabilising a region rife with complex security challenges.
References
ACP-EU Culture. (n.d.). Support for the cultural and creative sectors in ACP countries. https://www.acp-ue-culture.eu
UNESCO. (2017) Mobilizing stakeholders for the protection of cultural heritage in
Africa. https://www.unesco.org
Idpublications. (2021). Regional integration and development: A sectoral assessment.
European Journal of Research in Social Sciences, 9(2), 30-35. https://www.idpublications.org
