The Federal Government of Nigeria, with funding from the European Union and support of a consortium of UN agencies as key implementing partners have launched a new joint initiative to support the government’s efforts at reconciliation and reintegration within communities affected by non-state armed groups (NSAGs) in the northeast region of the country.
The essence of the joint initiative is to foster social cohesion, reduce stigmatization, promote tolerance, and create space for acceptance and belonging within targeted communities in Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe States.
The programme implementation plan recognises the critical importance of community outreach and sensitization, effective administration of survivor-centred transitional justice, psychosocial support, and trauma healing, community resilience and livelihood opportunities shall constitute an integral part of the programme in the form of vocational training, micro-grants, and infrastructure rehabilitation.
It shall also include capacity building for local authorities in collaboration with civil society organisations with emphasis on the amelioration of access to basic services, including joint monitoring and evaluation with the local communities.
Speaking at the official launch of the initiative, in Abuja, the National Security Advisor, Nuhu Ribadu, said the project strives to support authorities in effectively investigating and prosecuting individuals accused of terrorism offences in the northeast, ensuring meaningful accountability and redress for serious crimes.
According to him, the programme builds on the outcomes of previous efforts to promote peace and social inclusion in Northeastern Nigeria and is expected to significantly reinforce community-based approaches by enhancing the capacity of existing community-led frameworks to go through essential healing processes, promote reconciliation and accompany gradual reintegration of former associates of non-state armed groups.
For the Ambassador of the European Union to Nigeria and to the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, Ms Samuela Isopi, healing, reconciliation and reintegration in the North-east of Nigeria are possible but there must be synergy amongst all stakeholders to leverage their collective expertise in close consultation and the necessary respect for the affected communities.
Ms. Isopi reiterated the preparedness of the EU to continue supporting the process in the hope that it will help rebuild broken bridges within families and communities and open pathways of hope.
The EU has expended a grand total of €2.5 billion, in its broader support to the promotion of stabilisation, peace and security in the Lake Chad region since it started in 2014 which this programme is a part.
Its implementation will leverage the expertise and experience of the four UN agencies involved, which have been working in the northeast of Nigeria for several years.
The Implementing UN agencies are the International Organization for Migration, IOM, which is the lead agency, the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, UNODC.
Also present at the official launch of the initiative are UN Nigeria Resident Coordinator, Mr. Mohamed M. Malick Fall and representatives from the consortium of UN agencies implementing the programme, among others.
END
