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AU, APR meets in South Africa to discuss strategies on role of APRM

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AU, APR meets in South Africa to discuss strategies on role of APRM

AU, APR meets in South Africa to discuss strategies on role of APRM

By: Babagana Bukar Wakil, Maiduguri 

The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) and the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) are in Durban, South Africa, to participate in the very first Joint Retreat from 19 – 21 December 2021.

The Joint Retreat is co-chaired by H.E Ambassador Tesfaye Yilma Sabo, the Permanent Representative of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Chairperson of the PSC for December 2021, and H.E Ambassador Ombeni Yohana Sefue, Chairperson of the APR Panel of Eminent Persons. 

A statement by the AU said the convening of this Joint Retreat is pursuant to the PSC decision adopted at its 914th meeting held on 5 March 2020 and reaffirmed in a subsequent PSC meeting on 5 November of the same year. As a standing decision-making organ of the AU with a mandate for the prevention, management and resolution of conflicts, the PSC, in these meetings as mentioned above, underscored the importance of enhancing the contribution of APRM in early warning for conflict prevention in harmony and synergy with the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) and the African Governance Architecture (AGA).

“This PSC decision is informed by the critical work done by the APRM in areas of democracy, good governance, human rights, the rule of law, and acceleration of political, social and economic integration in Africa. Furthermore, the PSC stressed the critical role of the APRM in efforts towards the implementation of the AU Master Roadmap of Practical Steps in Silencing the Guns in Africa by 2030.” The statement said.

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A number of High-Level speakers will grace the opening of the Joint Retreat. Honourable Sihle Zikalala, Premier of the KwaZulu-Natal Province, will welcome participants on behalf of the Government of the Republic of South Africa. Honourable Ms Ayanda Dlodlo, Minister for the Public Service and Administration of the Republic of South Africa and the Chairperson of the APR Committee of Focal Points, will deliver the keynote address. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, will deliver a statement on behalf of the Chairperson of the AU Commission. Other speakers include H.E Madam Graça Machel, Co-Chair of the Elders and Chairperson of the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD) Board of Trustees, and Prof Eddy Maloka, CEO of the APRM Continental Secretariat.  

“The Joint Retreat will deliberate comprehensively on areas of interest and focus, including APRM Peer Review Reports and studies and explore ways to foster close collaboration and strengthen coordination in preventive diplomacy efforts and work done in areas of democracy and elections, good governance and the rule of law, in pursuance of Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want. 

“The Joint Retreat will further discuss strategies to enhance the role of the APRM in complementing the work of the PSC and other APSA Pillars in line with the provisions of the PSC Protocol.

“It is worth mentioning that this Joint Retreat will also look at plans towards the commemoration of the 20th Anniversary of the APRM in 2023. 

“At the end of the Joint Retreat, the PSC and the APRM will adopt the joint Conclusions.” The statement said

AU, APR meets in South Africa to discuss strategies on role of APRM

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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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