By Moses Gbande
The CHCEEWY Funded Partnership Project from Peace Direct and Peace Initiative Network Local Action Fund UK,
has advanced steps towards bringing to an end the protracted clashes between Farmers/ Herders in Daffo District of Plateau state.
The effort has given birth to a network called, Network of Community Conflict Prevention (NeCCOP) through community partnership.
Our correspomdent reports that the Networks’ mandate includes Preventing and Managing Conflict in Daffo District at the level of Youth Radicalization and Herders and Farmers Tension, couldn’t stopped but to continue to work with youth and Herders- Farmers to sustain community dialogue and reconciliation despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking with our Correspondent, one of the facilitators, Peter Iorapuu says, ”After our engagements with the Herders and Farmers and other conflict carriers, reasons for Mass Atrocities were identified among stakeholders of Daffo District, including actors to conflict and conflict dyanamics.
“At the meeting, stakeholders resolved that The Best Weapon is to Sit and Talk Out in this way, CHCEEWY with the community established a Network called * Network of Community Conflict Prevention (NeCCOP)”.
He says, the configuration of the network is a mix of Herders and Farmers, youths and women groups as well as CAN and JNI and the Leadership of Miyetti Allah.
“The role is to mobilize and organize conflict dialogue and mediation among contending parties.
“On 5th of June, 2020 CHCEEWY with the Network mobilized Herders Farmers for a Mediation to continue to dialogue to identify common grounds. Both parties disagree on some issues but also agreed on some issues. Positions, Interest were Negotiated but needs were identified and agreed upon.
” At the end of the day, both groups smile, shook hands and testifies to the fact that, *Truly, there is no way to Peace, Peace is the way if only we sit down and talk* . No one can define you better than your self.
” This mediation become necessary to sustain our strategy for preventing Mass Atrocities between Herders and Farmers. Another great achievement of the project with Daffo Community is the emergence of Daffo Youth Peace Academy. The group meet every month to study and learn skills and strategies for Peace and Development as well as Conflict Mitigation Styles.
“In fact, the Leader says since Conflict is inevitable, Youth Peace Academy is equally inevitable for Learning to Prevent and Transform Recurrent Violent Conflicts using local assets. The mediation is part of the CHCEEWY Funded Partnership Project from Peace Direct and Peace Initiative Network Local Action Fund UK.
Nasarawa Reporters 