Implement peace policy against insecurity, group urges FG

A research organisation, Conflict Research Network West Africa (CORN), has recommended a National Peace Policy, which will serve as a lasting solution to the security challenges and festering conflict ravaging Nigeria.

The organisation, in its research findings, advocated for a national peace policy that would help stem the tide of insecurity, contain violent extremism, and manage conflicts in Nigeria.

CORN, which commissioned studies across the six geo-political zones comprising Bayelsa, Anambra, Osun, Plateau, Katsina, and Adamawa with support from the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), noted that sub-national and local peace-building institutions face significant challenges that hinder their effort.

The 89-page report titled: Policy Levers for Peace, Subnational and Local Peace Building Mechanism in Nigeria and edited by Tarila Marclint Ebiede and Chris Kwaja was presented to the public by Tubodenyefa Zibima, at the Niger Delta University, Amassoma, Bayelsa.

The researchers identified resource constraints, political interference, poor coordination, weak state support, security threats, limited participation of women and youth, and lack of social cohesion in communities as factors militating against effective peacebuilding in Nigeria.

According to it for peace institutions to succeed in enhancing peace in the country, they must operate with legitimacy, have the needed resources, and observe neutrality and fairness in their operations.

CORN, while pointing out that the federal and state governments are macro actors, recommended that the Federal Government adopt a synergy in the peace efforts to project a holistic approach.

“The Federal Government should design and implement a national peace policy that integrates both federal, state, and local institutions. The peace policy should adopt a whole-of-government approach that ensures that all government policies are conflict-sensitive, do not contribute to the conflict, and contribute to peace.

‘’It should support state and local governments with the infrastructure for the development of effective strategic communications systems that promote peaceful coexistence between and among different communities. This will help counter disinformation and amplify moderate voices of peace and tolerance at the local level, targeting communities that are at -risk.

“Intensify efforts in supporting the state and local governments in curtailing the spread, access, and use of small arms and light weapons by unauthorized persons, which undermines the operations of the levers of peace. By so doing, the structures of peacebuilding will be preserved and protected,” it stated.

As part of its recommendations for the state and local governments, it stated that states that do not have a formal peacebuilding agency should establish and put in place the necessary structures and mechanisms for peace institutions to ensure conflict drivers are detected, prevented, and resolved proactively.

It also called for the activation and strengthening of warning and early responsive capabilities of states and communities as well as building stronger inter-state relations in conflict management and prevention.

CORN further stated that there should be a plan to design and implement an integrated structure for peacebuilding at the local level.

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