About a week to Christmas, ethnic groups in Plateau State signed an agreement to end conflicts. It was just as well for a once-serene state wracked for several decades by attacks and bloodshed, reports YUSUFU AMINU IDEGU
The commitment to peace by over 300 ethnic groups and others in Plateau was probably just as stunning as the outbreak of violence in the scenic, temperate state. A few decades ago, Jos, the capital city, was still about the most preferred place to visit or live in the country. Its cool weather is enchanting. The rocks which frame the city still leave beholders in awe. Some are so delicately balanced that they look as though someone laid them there.
How about the people? Warm and friendly were the words to describe them. Even though they were of various ethnic and religious backgrounds, and you could hear a Muslim prayer-call right next to a Christian worship centre, everyone lived in peace. Then all the harmony disappeared, replaced by a strange era of attacks and bloodletting. Indigenous people were at loggerheads with those described as settlers. Herdsmen clashed with farmers. Soon, terrorists also crept in, making all other violent acts in the state look like child’s play
Representatives of the 300-odd ethnic groups in the state, realising they have a role to play in its peace and future, have said no to violence. At Hill Station Hotel, one of its once upscale lodges, they signed a peace agreement, saying they had had enough of bloodletting. One after the other, they reached forward and documented that resolve under the supervision of representatives of the Canadian government, which sponsored the pact through their agency, Center for Human Development, sometimes called HD. It was clearly a New Year’s resolution, which the residents will give almost anything to last.
First to come up with their declaration was the business community representative led by Mr Yakubu Gomos.
He said, “Business cannot thrive in a conflict environment, just as development cannot take place in a conflict society. We the bankers, industrialists, shopowners, medium-scale business owners, small-scale business owners etc, have vowed to make sure the peace agreement we signed today is implemented to the letter because that is the only way our businesses can thrive in the state. It is only with peace that we can create jobs for the youths”
This was followed by the religious work group, which said, “We call for a renewed commitment to peace in the state; we urge our followers to abide by this agreement; we pledge to continue to work with the HD for sustainable peace in the state.
The Youths Working Group also took their turn, saying, “We youth are in dear need for hope and future, we crave for opportunity to survive as leaders of tomorrow, continuose violence will mean no future for us youths, hence we stand by the peace agreement and equally declared that we will resist henceforth to be used for violence”
Civil Society Organisations in the state as represented by the Plateau Peace Practitioner Network (PPPN), said, “Total peace in Plateau State is our utmost desire; we will be more effective building capacity of the youths and less privilege than trying to mediate among warring factions. We declare our support for this declaration for peace; we will continue to work together to cement peace in the state”
The state traditional council was not left out in the peace declaration. The president of the state council of chiefs, Gbong Gwom Jos, His Royal Majesty, Da, Jacob Gyang Buba, also declared: “As the father of all in this state, I desire a peaceful kingdom on the Plateau. I desire a peaceful reign as king; I desire that all my subjects thrive in business and whatever they do. There is nothing more than peace. I call on all citizens of the state to join hands for the implementation of the declarations. We appreciate HD for their efforts at peace building. We warn politicians not to do anything to bring violence in the state in 2015 election; this peace agreement must last and last”
National Security Adviser, Col. Ibrahim Dasuki who was represented at the occasion by one of his directors, Ambasador Lasiende, said, “This peace agreement is an opportunity offered by the Center for Humanitarian Dilaogue sponsored by the Canadian Government. Plateau people cannot afford to miss this opportunity. This process will serve as a model for other conflict states in Nigeria. The desire of all tribes in plateau State to live in peace is exemplary and the federal government is interested in the Plateau declaration and will follow the implementation of the peace agreement keenly.
He said, “The solution to conflict should not be left for government alone, so all ethnic groups and stakeholders has a role to play, so this declaration is yours and you must keep it, because if this agreement is fully implemented, business will boom in this state, there will be industries and jobs will be created.
This new year resolution by the people was made possible by an Inter-communal Dialogue and Conflict Mediation sponsored through a grant from the Canadian government. They call it Center for Humanitarian Development. It was aimed at establishing long-term solutions to crises in the city and its environs.
The approach was community-driven and cuts across all levels of civil society, with the focus being on the main communities in and around Jos. Preparatory work began in January 2013, as the HD centre worked hard to bring in various communities, government officials, religious leaders, women’s and youth groups in Jos. From August 2013 through June 2014, HD successfully hosted seven dialogue sessions and two special sessions, and currently continues with the implementation phase of the project.
At the preparatory phase beginning from January and lasting through July 2013, the HD Centre held consultations with key stakeholders in Jos, namely the leaders of five major communities (i.e. the Anaguta, Afizere, Berom, Fulani and Hausa), government officials, women representatives, and religious leaders, as well as civil society, business community, and youth groups. The purpose of these discussions was to introduce the HD Centre’s proposed initiative, and to include community leaders’ suggestions on the approach and structure that such a dialogue process could take.
The main dialogue among residence commenced on the 19th August with a ceremony attended by a large gathering of members of the five communities, Federal and State government officials, religious leaders, women groups, as well as civil society representatives. Attendance and political support were offered by influential Nigerian personalities as well as by interested Foreign Embassies.
The first session of the inter-communal dialogue (19th – 24th August) focused its discussion on two items, namely trust and confidence building and religious and cultural respect and tolerance. Although cautious at the beginning, communities eventually contributed to a lively discussions on these issues. The recommendations developed in session 1 and recognised major roles and responsibilities for youth, women, religious leaders, and media outlets in promoting trust, confidence, religious tolerance, and long term peace building.
The Centre held the second session of the dialogue from September 23 to 28, 2013, which covered six topics of discussion: Reopening and securing of religious places and burial grounds (carried over from the first session); Skill acquisition and employment opportunities for the youth; Detention of youths; Blockage of highways and other roads by youths, and, Tension-management strategies. To support a substantive discussion on these issues, three papers were commissioned ahead of the session.
Generally, the tone and atmosphere of the second session looked more relaxed than the first, and communities seemed to make genuine and less-guarded comments. Several government representatives attended the session including the Director of Public Prosecution for Plateau State and a Senior Director of the Office of the National Security Advisor in Abuja. Furthermore, there was a lively discussion between the Police Commissioner for Jos and the communities.
One of the major recommendations drawn from Session 2 included proposals for the communities to jointly rebuild and reopen two churches, two mosques, and two schools in each local government area as a tangible symbol of their ability to work together.
From October 21 to 25, the HD Centre held the third session of the inter-communal dialogue forum. The agenda for the meeting centred mainly on governance matters at the local, state, and federal levels as they affect the communities in Jos. Extensive participation in the meeting by government allowed for a candid exchange between the communities and several state commissioners and advisors (including the Chairman of the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission, and Advisors to the Governor on Peacebuilding and Legislative Matters). Presentations by the government representatives were met with cautious optimism by the communities.
Plateau residents were happy with the deal, which they prayed would last. Clearly, they have had enough of crises.
