Connect with us

News

USIP Report Highlights Need for Community-Driven Approaches to Resolve Persistent Conflict in Plateau State

info

Published

on

Makers

A recent report by the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) underscores the urgent need for locally led solutions to address the persistent communal violence plaguing Nigeria’s Plateau State. The report, “Nigeria’s Plateau State: Communal Violence Requires Locally Led Solutions,” highlights the conflict’s complex dynamics and calls for a shift from top-down interventions to community-driven strategies that prioritize reconciliation, trust-building, and sustainable peace.

Plateau State, often referred to as the “Home of Peace and Tourism,” has been marred by decades of communal violence, primarily fueled by competition over land, resources, and political power. The conflict, which often pits farming communities against herders, has resulted in significant loss of life, displacement, and economic devastation. Despite efforts by state and federal governments to quell the violence, the report argues that external interventions have largely failed to address the root causes of the crisis.

According to the USIP report, the key to resolving the conflict lies in empowering local communities to take ownership of peacebuilding efforts. “Top-down approaches have often overlooked the nuanced realities on the ground,” the report states. “Sustainable peace can only be achieved by involving local leaders, women, youth, and other stakeholders in designing and implementing solutions that address their unique needs and challenges.”

The report identifies several critical steps for fostering lasting peace in Plateau State:
1. Strengthening Local Governance: Enhancing the capacity of local government institutions to mediate conflicts and deliver justice.
2. Promoting Dialogue and Reconciliation: Facilitating community-led dialogues to rebuild trust and foster mutual understanding among conflicting groups.
3. Addressing Economic Inequalities: Implementing programs that create economic opportunities and reduce competition over scarce resources.
4. Engaging Women and Youth: Recognizing the pivotal role of women and young people in peacebuilding and ensuring their active participation in decision-making processes.
5. Improving Security Measures: Collaborating with security agencies to protect vulnerable communities while avoiding heavy-handed tactics that could exacerbate tensions.

The report also emphasizes the importance of leveraging traditional conflict resolution mechanisms, which have historically played a significant role in mediating disputes within Plateau’s diverse communities. By integrating these indigenous practices with modern peacebuilding strategies, the report suggests that a more holistic and effective approach can be developed.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s administration has welcomed the findings of the report, expressing a commitment to adopting locally led solutions as part of its broader peace and development agenda. “We recognize that the path to lasting peace in Plateau State requires the active involvement of our communities,” said a spokesperson for the governor. “We are committed to working with all stakeholders to implement strategies that address the root causes of conflict and promote sustainable development.”

The USIP report serves as a timely reminder of the complexities of communal violence in Plateau State and the need for innovative, inclusive, and locally grounded solutions. As the state continues to grapple with the devastating impact of conflict, the call for community-driven peacebuilding offers a glimmer of hope for a more peaceful and prosperous future.

For more details, read the full report [here].

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

2027: APM Lagos vows to unseat APC

info

Published

on

By

APM.jpg

The Allied Peoples’ Movement, APM, in Lagos State has reaffirmed its unity and declared its readiness to mount a strong challenge against the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in the 2027 elections.

The party’s governorship candidate in the state, Laja Adeoye, made this known in a statement on Tuesday following a strategic meeting with the party’s Senate and House of Representatives candidates.

Adeoye said the meeting, organised by the Laja Adeoye Campaign Organisation, brought together members of the State Executive Committee, candidates and other key stakeholders of the party.

He said the meeting was attended by the state chairman, secretary, woman leader, organising secretary, publicity secretary and youth leader, alongside other party officials.

Recommended

According to him, chairmen of the APM across the 20 local government areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas also participated in the meeting.

Adeoye said the gathering provided an opportunity for party leaders and candidates to address key issues, strengthen internal coordination and make strategic appointments ahead of the 2027 elections.

He said the resolutions reached at the meeting showed the party’s determination to build a stronger and more coordinated political structure across Lagos.

“APM Lagos remains one strong, united family,” Adeoye said.

The governorship candidate said the party was determined to secure substantial support for its candidates across all levels of the 2027 elections, from the governorship race to the National Assembly contests.

“The party is fully committed to delivering massive votes for all our candidates, from top to bottom,” he stated.

Adeoye said the meeting also strengthened the working relationship among candidates, party leaders and members as preparations for the elections gather momentum.

He reaffirmed the commitment of his campaign organisation to collaborating with the party’s leadership and members across the state to achieve its political objectives.

The APM governorship candidate urged members and supporters to remain united, focused and committed to the party as it intensifies its mobilisation ahead of the 2027 polls.

He maintained that the party’s strength was rooted in its structures across the LGAs and LCDAs, as well as the dedication of its members.

Continue Reading

News

Osun poll wake-up call for Northern voters – Mahdi Shehu

info

Published

on

By

Mahdi Shehu.jpg

Public affairs commentator Mahdi Shehu has described the recent Osun State governorship election as a wake-up call for Northern voters and other Nigerians whom he believes have become passive in exercising their voting rights.

In a post shared on X on Monday, Shehu argued that the election demonstrated how determined voters can resist political pressure, despite the resources and influence of those in power.

According to him, the All Progressives Congress (APC) entered the election with the full advantage of incumbency and deployed significant human and material resources in an effort to win.

“APC, its state, local and federal mights were not in Osun to lose elections but to prove their supremacy and take advantage of their incumbency at the federal level,” he wrote.

Recommended

He claimed that the party left nothing to chance but said voters remained focused on what they wanted and refused to be influenced by inducements, intimidation or last-minute promises.

“They met a thick wall erected by voters who had defined what they wanted and nothing short of it, no matter the inducement, intimidation and afterthought last-minute empty promises,” he said.

Shehu also argued that if similar efforts had been directed at voters in parts of Northern Nigeria and the South-East, the outcome could have been different.

He alleged that many Northern voters are often influenced by sentiments and immediate needs, while describing many Southern voters as awake, alert, cautious and choosy in making electoral decisions.

He urged voters, particularly in the North, to reflect on the lessons from the Osun election and make future voting decisions based on their long-term interests.

“Hope Northern and other docile and timid voters will think, act, behave and vote wisely in their best interest,” he said.

Continue Reading

Trending