CI has developed a global network of coexistence allies with over 1,000 individuals and organizations whose practice and policy work has the potential to impact coexistence (this includes individuals and organizations from fields such as education, international relations, human rights, and security).
Integral to our network development is CI's current focus on developing a broad network of West African coexistence allies, which currently consists of over 200 individuals and organizations. In addition CI is supporting the development of National Coexistence Networks in Cameroon, Liberia, and Nigeria.
In the summer of 2009 CI established the Coexistence Leadership Group of West Africa (CLGWA) as a complement to our global and national networks. The CLGWA provides a forum for experienced West African partners from the fields of peacebuilding, governance, human rights, and transitional justice to share ideas and knowledge, and to work towards a common initiative that will support and strengthen sustainable coexistence practice and complementary approaches in the region.Â
Members were invited to join the CLGWA from a field of many qualified candidates based on their experience in their respective disciplines, and demonstrated leadership and committment to coexistence values and principles. The group reflects a complementary approach by including members from the fields of peacebuilding, governance, human rights, and transitional justice. Members are based in the countries of Chad, Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. Information on developments related to the work of the CLGWA , inlcuding publications and events, will be available on this page.
Coexistence Leadership Group of West Africa Member Biographies
Victor K. Brobbey
Mr. Brobbey is a research fellow for Governance and Legal Policy at the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development where his research focus includes constitutional reform, the human rights of marginalized groups, rule of law in emerging democracies, and anti-corruption. He graduated from the University of Ghana with a Bachelor of Laws degree and the Ghana School of Law as a Barrister-at-Law. He subsequently obtained a Master of Laws degree from Harvard Law School. Mr. Brobbey is admitted to practice law in the Republic of Ghana and the State of New York, U.S.A
Valnora Edwin
Ms. Edwin is the national coordinator at Campaign for Good Governance of Sierra Leone (CGGSL). CGGSL focuses on democracy building and public financial management. Elections monitoring is a key activity of democracy building work. Ms. Edwin worked as a human rights programme manager and was also the focal person on transitional justice at CGGSL from 2000-2005. She currently serves as a member of the Reparations National Steering Committee of Sierra Leone, focusing on the way women's specific needs are being observed.
Kanio Bai Gbala
Mr. Gbala works as program associate of Civic Initiative (CI) and as coordinator of the Transitional Justice Working Group (TJWG) of Liberia. A 2008 Fellow of the International Journal of Transitional Justice (IJTJ) as well as a 2009 Chevening Fellow, Mr. Gbala has worked extensively in Liberian civil society on issues of security sector reform, transitional justice and youth development. He holds an Associates (2004) and Bachelors (2007) degree (Honors) in Business Administration from the Stella Maris Polytechnic and is currently pursuing an LLB at the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law, University of Liberia.
Lindora Howard-Diawara
Ms. Howard-Diawara works for the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) Liberia Chapter as program coordinator of the Women in Peacebuilding Network (WIPNET), a network membership program for women peace makers/peacebuilders. With a mandate to increase women's participation and involvement in wholistic peacebuilding (Training, Research, Documentation, Advocacy, and Sensitization,) in Liberia the program has been extended to 19 communities in 9 of the 15 political sub-divisions in Liberia.
Kalie Sillah
Mr. Sillah works as a lead researcher for the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP). He has intellectual and operational experience in the fields of early warning and conflict prevention, peacebuilding, post-conflict development, community development and transitional justice. He has played leadership roles in examining the increased use of the Truth and Reconciliation Commissions as the preferred model of transitional justice in the West African context. His work in this area highlights offers insights into lessons and questions emerging from the transitional justice experiences of Sierra Leone, Liberia and Ghana.
Kounkinè Augustin Somé
Mr. Somé is currently serving as a human rights officer with the United Nations Mission in Central African Republic and Chad where he is the coordinator of the Training and Capacity Building Unit within the Human Rights Section. Mr. Somé is a graduate in International Human Rights Law with Specialization in Human Rights and Democratization in Africa and Humanitarian Assistance. He has comprehensive experience in the area of human rights, democratic governance and peace building. Mr. Somé has written several articles and papers on human rights in Burkina Faso and Sierra Leone.
