Governance not guns will secure West Africa

By Lawal FarouqA recent West Africa Security Retreat has warned that lasting peace will come not from firepower but from accountable institutions, resilient governance, and the trust of citizens.West Africa has been fighting insecurity for decades, yet the region remains trapped in a cycle of violence. Extremist groups regroup after defeats, criminal networks adapt faster than governments, and communities liberated by force relapse into instability.The retreat, which was held in Ilisan-Rem