NIGER: U.S. INSTITUTE OF PEACE (USIP) NEGOTIATION TRAINING

UNCLAS NIAMEY 001116 SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/W J Dennison, AF/RSA, AF/EX/BFO, and DRL/EA Please pass to USAID for AFR/W PARIS FOR AF WATCHER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV SOCI PHUM SCUL EAID NG SUBJECT: NIGER: U.S. INSTITUTE OF PEACE (USIP) NEGOTIATION TRAINING WORKSHOP ON PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT OF CONFLICT REF: Niamey 608 ¶1. Summary. Government of Niger (GON) High Commissioner for the Restoration of Peace (HCRP) Mohamed Anacko made a request in June 2008 (reftel) to former U.S. Department of State Bureau of African Affairs' Deputy Assistant Secretary Todd Moss for assistance in securing negotiation and conflict resolution training. The USIP facilitated an October 21-23, 2008 workshop for 30 civil society, nongovernmental organization and government leaders in subject training. The workshop trainees praised the USIP and USG support for this activity and spoke of the multiplier effect the training will have as they share lessons learned with others in their respective institutions, as well as with counterparts in sister institutions. This very worthwhile training activity was made possible through a US$50,000 grant provided from Economic Support Funds. End summary. ¶2. Embassy Niamey's LES FSN Pol Specialist Idi Moussa coordinated workshop preparations between HCRP and the USIP facilitators. HCRP Anacko assembled civil society leaders representing different interests in advance to work collaboratively to select workshop participants and address logistical matters. USIP Senior Program Officers for Education and Training Jacqueline Wilson and Nina Sughrue facilitated an intense and rich training workshop on negotiation and conflict resolution at Park W. Embassy Niamey Deputy Chief of Mission Whitaker delivered opening remarks (Oct 21) and Ambassador Allen delivered closing remarks (Oct 23); HCRP Anacko delivered opening and closing remarks on behalf of the Government of Niger. There was wide media coverage of the event (TV, print). ¶3. The three-day training activity, funded by a USD $50,000 ESF grant stemming from a request made earlier in the year by HCRP Anacko, began with an overview on conflict analysis (such as its inevitability and causes, the categories of conflict, the life cycle of conflict, management of conflict, the pyramid of actors needed to construct peace, negotiation and resolution of conflict, etc.). Subsequently, the trainees participated in small group exercises, discussion groups, active listening sessions, conflict style assessments, dialogue and facilitation exercises, negotiation simulation and role plays, mediation/third-party discussion and a final wrap-up session to review practices and lessons learned. ¶4. Themes selected for the various exercises included political/electoral conflict, management of border and/or armed conflicts, and analysis of the Protocol with Respect to Women in the African Charter on Human Rights. ¶5. Trainees praised the USIP intervention and expressed the hope to serve as ambassadors of peace, working with the HCRP, to support a peaceful, stable environment in the Republic of Niger, vital to economic development and the well-being of the Nigerien people. ALLEN