U.S reiterates commitment to support peace,conflict resolution in Nigeria

By Diana Omueza

The United States has reiterated its commitment to support Nigeria in advancing peace, conflict resolution and security through community centered programs such as an “Early Warning and Early Response Initiative”.

Mr Suleyman Konte, Political Officer U.S. Embassy, said this on Wednesday in Abuja at the launch of a “Village Monitoring System on Early Warning Early Response (EWER) Project”.

The EWER project was launched by Cleen Foundation supported by the United State Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations in partnership with the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA)

The project was designed to contribute to the mitigation and to bring to an end conflicts, disappearances and mass violence in Northern Nigeria, with focus on 16 communities in Kaduna, Plateau, Zamfara and Taraba state.

“On behalf of the U.S. Mission and the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations, I would like to emphasise that the United States is committed to supporting Nigeria in advancing peace and security through community centered programs, including early warning and early response initiatives.

“We recognize that Nigeria faces unique security challenges on several fronts, and that the dynamics and solutions vary from location to location.

“Which is why, we are pleased to see that this program addresses emerging regions of concern, such as Zamfara, while also focusing on areas that have long experienced inter-communal conflict, like Kaduna and Taraba.

“The United States has a long and positive track record of working with our Nigerian partners to implement early warning and early response programs.

“So the VMS program being launched today will build on lessons learned and best practices from previous Programs to enhance conflict resolutions and other insecurities” he said.

Konte emphasised on the need to build on the capacity and strengthening of the role of women in conflict prevention and peace building work.

He also emphasised on the role of law enforcement agencies and the judiciary in advancing security in the country.

Mrs Ruth Olofin, the Acting Executive Director of Cleen Foundation said that the purpose of the National Project Launch was to formally present the project to stakeholders at the federal and national level.

According to her, the launch contains details on the project goals, objectives, activities and expected outcomes.

“The goal of the VMS-EWER is to contribute to the reduction of civilian attacks in sixteen communities in Kaduna, Plateau, Taraba and Zamfara states.

“This incidences are being driven by the effects of climate change; ethnic, religious and cultural tensions; weak response by security agencies.

“Collectively, in a bid to protect themselves, communities have resorted to self-help; self protection and a progress involvement of women through the empowerment of community members, including women, to serve as peace-builders.

“The specific objectives of the project are to strengthen understanding of regional conflicts and mitigation opportunities through stakeholder assessment and community engagement.

“To strengthen and expand linkages in the 16 communities between early warning alerts of incidents and an on-the-ground responders through communications and networking activities.

“And to build the capacity of 32 early responders to respond to conflict incidents and mitigate violence in the 16 communities over a two-year period and to train all responders on early detection and early response to conflicts,” she said.

Olofin said that the project seeks to end the cycle of violent conflict through the proactive deployment of new technology to aid early warning and capacitate the community members to utilise the early warning alerts and carry out early response to forestall the attack on the communities.

She reiterate the commitment of the project to empower the community members, particularly the training of women to serve as peace builders in early detection and early response to conflict.

She said that the expected outcomes from the national launch includes stakeholders buy-in for the project; commitment for cooperation and collaboration secured from USAID, ECOWARN Directorate of ECOWAS Commission, CAN, FORWAN, Religious & Traditional Leaders, CBOs and other stakeholders.

Dr Zainab Ahmed, Representative of the Federation of Muslim Women’s Association in Nigeria (FOMWAN) lauded the project, its aims, the focus states, the sponsors and partnering organisation.

She said that the need for an early warning and early response mechanism on conflicts, violence and other security threats in the focus states could not be overemphasized.

“This project is coming at the right time, because the spate of insecurities is overwhelming especially in this volatile areas.

“And when conflict arise, the people that suffer the most are the women, so we are happy that emphasis is been laid on empowering women as responders.

“And as a nationwide association, we are willing and ready to get trained and join the responders to ensure anything that will bring and sustain peace and stability in the North,”.