В Либерии на €30 тыс. оснастили центр по предотвращению конфликтов

Liberia's capacity to detect and respond to emerging security threats has received a major boost after the National Center for the Coordination of Response Mechanism (NCCRM) received €30,000, approximately US$35,000, worth of operational, information technology and mobility equipment from the German Development Cooperation through GIZ, with support from the European Union-backed ECOWAS Peace, Security and Governance Project. The equipment, turned over Monday, Aug. 11, at the NCCRM Situation Room in Monrovia, is expected to strengthen the center's ability to gather and analyze early warning information, identify emerging threats and coordinate timely responses to issues affecting peace, security and social stability. The package includes a 15KVA Perkins generator, two Jincheng JC125 GY motorbikes, 12 HP laptops, 10 mobile tablets, five Canon 3410 printers, 10 office chairs and three office desks. Officials said the equipment will improve field mobility, data collection and analysis, communication, information management and the center's overall operational readiness. Keep up with the latest headlines on WhatsApp | LinkedIn NCCRM Executive Director Atty. Arthur Bestman described the handover as the culmination of sustained engagement between the center and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, or GIZ. Bestman said when the current management assumed leadership in May 2024, NCCRM faced serious operational constraints, particularly inadequate mobility and information technology resources. Management subsequently renewed engagement with GIZ and submitted its priority equipment needs. Following consultations with the project team, NCCRM received confirmation in May that €30,000 had been approved for the equipment. "This support will significantly strengthen the operational capacity of NCCRM. These pieces of equipment will enhance our ability to monitor, analyze, and coordinate responses to human security threats, thereby contributing to peace, stability, and resilience in Liberia and across the ECOWAS region," Bestman said. He thanked GIZ, the European Union, ECOWAS and other development partners for supporting Liberia's national early warning and response system. Dr. Nat B. Walker, political adviser and early warning liaison officer at the ECOWAS Mission in Liberia, represented ECOWAS at the ceremony. Speaking on behalf of the ECOWAS resident ambassador, Walker thanked the European Union for its support through the project and GIZ for implementing the initiative. He also praised NCCRM management and other stakeholders for their collaboration. "The strengthening of the NCCRM is particularly significant because effective conflict prevention begins with the ability to identify emerging risks early, analyze them accurately, share information effectively, and coordinate timely responses," Walker said. He described NCCRM as an important link between early warning information and concrete action within Liberia's peace and security architecture. "As an early warning and response coordination mechanism, it provides an important bridge between information, analysis, and action. Its effectiveness therefore contributes not only to national stability, but also to the broader regional peace and security architecture of ECOWAS," he said. Representing the GIZ-implemented project and speaking on behalf of the European Union, German Embassy and Denmark, Enobong Moma, head of Component SSRG and WYPS, said the intervention goes beyond providing physical equipment. "This event represents far more than the delivery of equipment. It is an investment in Liberia's capacity to prevent conflict before it escalates," Moma said. She said improving NCCRM's operational readiness would strengthen the country's ability to detect emerging risks and coordinate timely responses before threats escalate. Moma also commended the Liberian government and NCCRM for efforts to strengthen national conflict prevention mechanisms, noting the center's role in bringing government institutions and other stakeholders together to translate early warning information into coordinated action. She linked the intervention to Liberia's National Security Strategy 2026-2036 and stressed the need for strong institutions capable of transforming early warning into effective early action. "Strengthening institutions such as the NCCRM is therefore not only an investment in peace and security, but also in democratic governance, sustainable development, and the resilience of communities across Liberia," she said. The donation forms part of broader regional efforts to strengthen national early warning and response mechanisms under ECOWAS' peace and security framework. The GIZ-implemented project supports ECOWAS priorities covering early warning, security-sector governance and other peace and security initiatives. NCCRM said the renewed partnership represents an important step toward deepening cooperation with institutions supporting Liberia's peace, security, governance and development priorities. The center pledged to properly manage, maintain and use the equipment to advance its national mandate. NCCRM also expressed appreciation to the governments of Germany and Denmark, GIZ, the European Union, ECOWAS and other partners for supporting efforts to build a stronger and more responsive early warning and response system in Liberia.