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37.8 million people in need of protection in Sahel – UN Women

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37.8 million people in need of protection in Sahel – UN Women

By: Michael Mike

More than 37.8 million people in the Sahel would need assistance and protection due to security challenges, political, socioeconomic, and environmental factors, the United Nations (UN) Women has said.

Possible solutions are expected to be discussed at ongoing meeting in Niamey, Niger where stakeholders would reflect on the theme: “Adapting the women, peace and security agenda to the changing context of the Sahel: rethinking and readjusting approaches”, and launch the project: “Leadership of women’s organizations for peace and security in the Sahel”. The meeting is under the aegis of the Ministry of Women’s Promotion and Child Protection and with funding from the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Governments of the G5 Sahel countries, UN Women and its partners, civil society organisations, development partners and regional and international experts.

According to a statement by UN Women, the Sahel region faces numerous security challenges, compounded by political, socioeconomic, and environmental factors. Extremist and terrorist armed groups as well as inter-communal conflicts have negative impacts on communities, forcing millions of people to move. By 2023 more than 37.8 million Sahelians will need assistance and protection.

The statement lamented that women and girls are often the first to be affected by these crises, increasing their vulnerability and marginalization in society. Yet, they are key players in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, as well as in the promotion of sustainable peace and development.

The statement added that: “It is within this framework that UN Women and its partners decided to organize this high-level regional meeting funded by the Kingdom of the Netherlands to discuss the issues and challenges facing women and girls in the Sahel region, but also to explore solutions for their effective participation in promoting peace and development.”

The statement further read that: “Niger is a land of welcome and opportunity and the laboratory of the Nexus. We are honored and happy to receive the delegations of the sister countries of the G5 Sahel and other countries for this colloquium coupled with the launch of the regional program on capacity building of civil society organizations in the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda financed by the Netherlands which we welcome”. It added that it is in these terms that Mrs. Allahoury Aminata Zourkaleini, Niger’s Minister of Women Promotion and Child Protection, denotes the satisfaction of the choice of Niger for the organisation of the three days meeting in Niamey.

She said the meeting will see the participation of government representatives, civil society organisations, development partners and regional and international experts. They will discuss themes such as strengthening the role of women in peace and security processes, the inclusion of women in the prevention of violent extremism and the reduction of inter-communal conflicts, as well as their participation in peace building and post-conflict reconstruction.

She noted that the meeting in Niamey is a unique opportunity for partners to discuss concrete solutions to strengthen the role of women in building peace and security in the Sahel region.

“We are convinced that the active contribution of women and girls is essential to achieving sustainable peace and ensuring a more stable and prosperous future for the Sahel region,” said Ms. Florence Raes, Regional Director a.i. of UN Women West and Central Africa.

The Ministry of Women’s Promotion and Child Protection, UN Women, the G5 Sahel and their partners call on all key actors to work together to create an enabling environment for the full participation of women and girls in the promotion of peace, security and development in the Sahel region and specially to accelerate the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda.

“Women and girls in Niger are disproportionately affected by crises and conflicts and the issue deserves special attention from the private sector, cooperation and partnership, States and civil society. It is also unanimous to recognize the potential that these women and girls have in the peace, security and development process in the Sahel region,” said Ms. Louise Aubin, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations system in Niger.

The meeting will also mark the launch of the project “Leadership of Women’s Organizations for Peace and Security in the Sahel” funded by the Kingdom of the Netherlands to strengthen the role of women in peacebuilding and security in the Sahel region, in Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Chad. The project will run for a period of 4 (four) years and aims to strengthen the capacity of women’s peace organizations. Women have great potential to contribute significantly to the stabilization of the region, but face several organisational, institutional and programmatic challenges.

Women’s civil response to the crisis is crucial to achieving sustainable peace in the region and will complement and strengthen the actions of other actors working for peace in the region.
The project is structured around three strategic areas: capacity building, movement building, coalition building and advocacy. Women’s organisations will be strengthened at the organisational, institutional and operational levels, as well as in program management and resource mobilization. They will also be connected and work in synergy within strong networks, movements and/or coalitions.

Joint advocacy plans will be created for national and regional peace actions. “The project will reach a total of 103 women’s organizations, with increased financial support for a core group of 18 organizations, including three regional and three national organizations in each of the five G5 Sahel countries. They will be selected in a transparent manner based on clear indicators related to their potential for high impact,” says Ms. Marie-Josee Kandanga Peace, Security and Humanitarian Action Advisor at UN Women.

The new approaches and recommendations resulting from the colloquium to be held in Niamey from May 3 to 5, 2023 will serve as a planning basis for the various actors supporting the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda in the region.

37.8 million people in need of protection in Sahel – UN Women

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Chieftaincy dispute causes chaos in Muye village in Niger

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Chieftaincy dispute causes chaos in Muye village in Niger

By: Zagazola Makama

A renewed chieftaincy tussle in Muye village, Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State, has sparked violent confrontations between rival supporters, prompting swift intervention by security operatives.

Zagazola Makama gathered that the crisis began around 6:20 p.m. on Thursday when the deposed village head, Alhaji Mohammed Abdulkadir Maigari II, forcefully returned to Muye and broke into the palace.

The incident provoked tension among residents, especially after supporters of the current Dakachi confronted the deposed monarch. The situation was immediately brought under control by a team of security personnel from Lapai.

However, Zagazola learnt that the situation escalated on Friday morning when supporters of both camps clashed again, leading to a free-for-all fight that disrupted public peace in the community.

Security sources were swiftly deployed to Muye to restore normalcy.

“The combined security teams have brought the situation under control. Monitoring and surveillance operations are ongoing to prevent further breakdown of law and order,” the source said.

No casualties or arrests have been officially confirmed as of the time of filing this report.

Chieftaincy dispute causes chaos in Muye village in Niger

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Eid-el-Kabir: IPCR Calls on Nigerians to Peace, Harmony

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Eid-el-Kabir: IPCR Calls on Nigerians to Peace, Harmony

By: Michael Mike

Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has called on Nigerians to promote peace and harmony in their communities, recognizing that peace is essential to national development and progress.

The advice was given by the Director General of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, in his message on Eid-el-Kabir.

The Institute, while extending warm greetings to Nigerians, wished them a joyous and peaceful celebration, marked by love, compassion, and unity.

The Institute while noting that Sallah is a significant occasion in the Islamic calendar, symbolizing the values of sacrifice, gratitude, and community, emphasized that the spirit of Sallah should guide Nigerians in their interactions with one another, fostering a culture of peace, tolerance, and understanding.

The IPCR urged Nigerians to promote peace and harmony in their communities, recognizing that peace is essential to national development and progress, while
encouraging individuals to embrace the values of Sallah, including forgiveness, empathy, and kindness, in their daily lives.

According to IPCR, peace is critical to promoting national stability and cohesion.

The Institute also urged Nigerians to use this period of Sallah celebration to address conflicts and promote dialogue, which could help to build trust and understanding among Nigerians and also contribute to a more peaceful society.

It recognized that the country’s many ethnic and religious groups can work together to build a more harmonious society, celebrating their differences and promoting a culture of tolerance.
End

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Community Leader Seeks Tinubu’s Urgent Intervention in Incessant Plateau Killing

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Community Leader Seeks Tinubu’s Urgent Intervention in Incessant Plateau Killing

By: Michael Mike

A community leader and the Waziri Mushere of Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, Chief Yohana Margif has expressed dismay over the incessant killing of innocent citizens of the community.

Margif made this known in an interview with journalists on Thursday in Abuja.

He called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene to halt what he described as genocide against the people, which he said was being perpetrated by suspected herdsmen.

Margif also called on Malam Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser, and other security chiefs in the country, to rein in the alleged culprits.

He said: “I would like to draw the attention of the topmost leadership in Nigeria to the deteriorating dire security situation in Plateau, particularly in Mushere Chiefdom of Bokkos LGA.

“I urge President Tinubu to take immediate decisive action to halt these endless and senseless killings, protect lives and properties, and secure the future of the Mushere people, and other victims of obvious genocide against the people.

“Herdsmen are killing our innocent people, burning their homes, looting their foodstuff, property, livestock, and taking over their ancestral lands,” he said.

According to the Abuja-based real estate mogul, the attacks and attendant killings have intensified recently since the onset of this year’s farming season.

Margif further said that the people had been displaced from their villages and ancestral homes and were forced to become internally displaced persons in the country.

He emphasised that the situation required immediate intervention by all stakeholders in order to prevent further escalation and inflict an irredeemable harm by wiping out the entire community from the surface of the earth.

He lamented that: “Since President Tinubu’s administration began, Plateau State has witnessed an unprecedented escalation of violence and loss of lives.

“This is the current sad reality. Our people are constantly under the threat of the enemy’s bullets and can’t sleep with two eyes closed due to the perpetual unleashing of violence against them by external forces.

“Something urgent must be done to stem the tide of violence and end this war against the people in order not to
harm this administration’s reputation,” Margif said.

In the past couple of days, suspected herdsmen militia killed no fewer than 35 people in the localities of Hokk, Pangkap, Fokoldep, Kopmur, Margif, Horop, Mbor, Mushere and Kwahas localities in Mushere Chiefdom.

Chairman, Bokkos Community Peace Observers, Kefas Mallai, who confirmed the killings to newsmen, said the victims included a 70-year-old Pastor of COCIN LCC Kwakas-Mushere, Mimang Lekyil, who was attacked and killed in the church.

He said that the pastor’s wife was also shot in the leg and was admitted at the Jos University Teaching Hospital for treatment, he said.

“Bokkos has never been this insecure, with the people being butchered as we are currently witnessing,” Lilian Madaki, from the Mushere community told journalists.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Emmanuel Adesina, also confirmed the incident in a statement saying security forces including police and military personnel, had been deployed in the affected communities.

Community Leader Seeks Tinubu’s Urgent Intervention in Incessant Plateau Killing

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