PATHS TO PEACE

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The situation in the middle belt and northern Nigeria is increasingly a concern.  We in Whole Truth Nigeria are Nigerians and expats with over 100 years of combined experience living and working in this area.  We long to see sustainable peace for all people here, farmers and herders, Christians and Muslims.  Below are some suggestions for a path towards that. Please consider what area you can be active in and pray for.

 

 Media/Social Media

• Effective sharing of information within Nigeria using appropriate formats and languages

• Accurate, balanced reporting in the Western press which listens to every party affected

• Developing media in various languages that counters false narratives, provides genuine solutions and builds reconciliation

• Countering false and inflammatory media with accurate, neutral reporting and enforcement of laws against incitement

• Careful use of terms to avoid endangering lives through stereotyping: the words “attackers” or “militants” should not have an ethnic name associated with them

 

Security and Justice

• Technical support for Nigerian security forces to combat Boko Haram, ISWAP and Lakurawa, including respect for human rights and avoiding harm to civilians. US forces currently in Nigeria are part of that effort.

• Technical support for Nigerian security forces and judicial systems to combat criminal gangs.

• Support security initiatives that respect human rights at the level of states/governors that will reduce the need for ethnic militias which are causing more harm than good 

• Stop uncontrolled vigilante actions by armed youth

 

Help for the Hurting

• Greatly increased aid for IDPs of every ethnicity, both Christians and Muslims

• Trauma Healing for anyone suffering 

• Bible teaching and support encouraging Christians to respond in a Christ like manner loving their enemies rather than attacking and perpetuating the violence

• Support local leaders (Christian and Muslim) in initiatives for peace.

 

Land Use

• Support conflict resolution mechanisms in regions of herder and farmers conflicts

• Live fencing of farmers fields to reduce cattle incursions

• Protection of cattle routes so herders and their animals can move easily

• Valuing organic fertiliser from animals over chemicals

• Prevent ethnic cleansing efforts targeting Fulani herders 

• Explore agro-pastoral techniques that maximise land use

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