PERSPECTIVE FRIEDRICH-EBERT-STIFTUNG| CONFLICT PREVENTION FROM THE GROUND CONFLICT PREVENTION FROM THE GROUND OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FOR CLOSER COOPERATION BETWEEN AU, RECs AND CIVIL SOCIETY ON CONFLICT PREVENTION IN EASTERN AFRICA Wafula Okumu December 2020 The regional dimension of the EU-Africa partnership should be enhanced as a partnership Eoaf setqeurnalAs.frica CSOs are encour­aged to create a platform like WANEP to coordinate their peace and security agenda. The EU should clarify how its strategy links short-term and long-term engagement to the finance instruments of NDICI AanUdshEPoFuld urge Member States to work with CSOs by sharing relevant information and relaxing rigidity. The AU should formulate a clear action plan on the future paths of APSA and address the Rperogbiolenmalsnuentwdeorrmksinoifng APSA’s ecofflilcaibeonrcayt.ing entities should be built to share knowledge and coordinate activities – thereby preventing duplication of programs and initiatives. 1