Exploring the depth of reasons

Realizing the centrality of the group as actor in contemporary conflict, it gives space for the systematic analysis a group and the organization they might claim to represent (identity group formation), the dynamics of interaction and also collective action (Demmers. J. 2012). Since conflict four-dimensional (personal, relational, structural and cultural), it is a complex phenomenon that fosters interaction among actors with distinct identities, needs and interests; thereby endowing contemporary violent conflict with its particular character and leads to joint violence which Kalyvas (2003) describes as saddling the divide between the political and private, the collective and the individual.

Worthy of note is that the sect pointed out the fact of corruption on the part of politicians for the inequality of distribution of economic resources/poverty, joblessness/unemployment, lack of infrastructures, biased governance or protection of ethnic interests as some reasons for such a religious intervention termed ‘Purification’ as inspirational of their actions. These socio-economic grievances as indicated by the former president of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo during a BBC Radio and Television Interview (2012, September 14^th)[i], alongside their quest for the Independent Islamic State (referring to the 12 northern states) constantly fuel the numerous bombings on worship places, destruction of lives and property and even psychological fear and hurt as a result of the effects/impacts on both Christians and Muslims. This has also led to the economic paralysis of the north and the forceful relocation of visitors/non indigenes and discouragement of both local and foreign investors. The Federal Government on her part has always imposed curfews, the military and the police at times, in the management of the conflicts and also established panels of inquiry/commissions and made little financial compensation over lost lives.

My personal stake regarding the various causes of this ‘uprising’ might be that this group (and probably others) have been asking questions regarding/surrounding their dignity which has a nexus with the human needs theory and group identity formation.

There has been series of Boko Haram attacks in northern Nigeria as follows: 2010 – Bauchi; 2010 – Abuja; 2011 – Abuja; 2011 – Yobe and Borno; 2011 – Niger; 2012 – Kano, Bauchi, Gombe, Borno, Yobe and Kaduna. These attacks have at times resulted to reprisal attacks on the part of Christians. The bombings in Zaria and Kaduna towns in June 2012 resulted to the killing of innocent non-Christian travelers by angry Christian youths at the interception between Abuja (Federal Capital Territory) and other northern states. It was indeed tragic – a bloodbath as retaliation. Current attacks are still recorded in which innocent civilians; irrespective of identity of any sort are preys to guns and bombs exhibited in fury.

The threats that come from the South, East and West Militia groups are often times seen as justifiable ‘ as the face of sympathy is sought through empathy’. The reasons for which all these groups have operated should be harnessed and tailored for a holistic peacebuilding approach/intervention. The kidnapping of foreigners sends a wrong image impression to the world and thereby invite external mitigation, which often times is regarded as unhealthy as the partial interventions, which the government in Nigeria at her three-tier levels has unfolded in the past decade.

Many more violent conflicts that are deeply influenced by socio-political irregularities, together with the Nigerian ethnic complexity, grounded in the domination/control of Religion, have unfolded after that of June. More innocent worshippers have been killed, and just on Monday, October 1st, university students no fewer than forty (40) were killed by Gunmen regarded as Islamic militia-Boko Haram in a town called Mubi in Borno State[ii]. So many have been killed with their dreams terminated, children who are fortunate to be alive have become orphans; lucky women have become widows or some forced into childlessness after the death of their children. This has led to crime and drugs, together with large-scale poverty. The very core system of the individual, community and society is destroyed. Nigerians seem to have lost confidence on the government’s ability and capacity to reassure human security and development or the political will of the government, thereby live in fear, confusion and shock.

Timeline and Attacks

There have been recorded attacks of Boko Haram and they are said to have started since 2000 and have been in sequence till date. The Strategies, which the group uses, include Suicide Bombings, Sporadic Gun-Shootings/Gun Violence, Explosives and Kidnappings. The Attacks include Government Security Bases, Places of worship, Relaxation Centers/public places, Schools, Security Personnel, Politicians, Prisons and Financial Institutions/Banks. Some of the Cities/States where they operated are Kano, Kaduna, Jos, Abuja, Suleja/Niger, Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, Adamawa, Yobe, Bornu, Katsina. Communication/Media Outfits have also faced destructions, together with Garages/Parks for travelers and the number of Casualties has constantly increased in there Thousands which includes largely women and children.

Government Approach: What is being done.

The measures/initiatives, which the Government has put into this, can be said to worth Billions of Naira at both the Federal and State levels. Apart from unregulated and monitored compensations in terms of money, partial or total Curfews have always been imposed on the conflict-affected contexts thereby restricting and limiting the rights of free movement and meaningful lives. Seen as most pertinent approach to this issue of calming the storm of violence is Militarization. Military Personnel are deployed and empowered to discharge militaristic actions (using extermination principles). In the actual fact, these expensive military operations have led to Human Rights Abuses and Rule of Law. The Joint Task Force (JTF) is the Machinery set up to combat the violence and assumed perpetrators, leading to extended trauma, fear and instability and breakdown in communication and possible system fragmentation. Successful as though it may appear, such an intervention faces the measurement tape of Human Dignity and Rights of the Human Person to constitutional protection and trials. It implies then that the judicial system must be credible and impartial as an umpire of Justice.

The presidency has constantly set up Panels of Inquiry that have in a way been less fruitful/futile. There has not been clear cut constitutional guidelines for formation of such inquiries and subsequently, this has led to improper and weak installation of panels with both political and nepotism undertones. The credibility of the members faces lack of moral impetus. I do think that experienced and ‘academic authorities’ should be involved as Think Tanks for such initiatives. Office or political office holders and opportune Nigerians who are called into serving the country should not see it an opportunity for enrichment but of self-less sacrifice in patriotism. Consultations and exploration of ideas lead to much expected good results than failures.

Adjudication is seen manifested in the Nigerian society without a Constitutional guidance. Tribunals and committees, which are set up, oftentimes point to court-martialing. These have lately led to situations of inadequate constitutional trials with access to litigations being denied. Compensations (financial) have often times been done without proper planning and strategic implementation. Why would not politicians and public office holders who have voted Hundreds of Millions of Naira, not ‘pool’ those compensations together with that of the government for proper disenbursement?

An unprocessed Amnesty that lacks trust is proposed and it receives mixed reaction from both the public and the extremists. The Group (Boko Haram) rejects it; Northern Elders lobby for it and Committee is still inaugurated by the government. As much as it is a good initiative to form an Amnesty, it is worth every serious involvement from all levels of the society. There should be an accurate stakeholder mapping/analysis from which a core group’s perspectives can be knitted. It implies participation and ownership from all parties involved. The Presidency subsequently declares State of Emergency in three states in the north and increases the approach of Militarization upon the conflict-affected contexts. In this extermination military intervention, innocent citizens are killed and ‘culprits’ are killed also without constitutional trials.

What should be done.

Nigeria needs to invest in the empowerment of personnel whose operations involve the control of Borders. Results have shown that most of those involved in the formation of such militia/extremist groups are foreigners from neighboring countries. Intensive border checks and patrols would lead to a possible reduction of illegal immigrants. Citizenship certifications should be improved, amidst the fact that the National Identification Project shows no success story.

There should be a discontinuation of a ‘Gun-Boat Democracy’ in order to allow respect of Rule of Law, Credible Judiciary, Transparent Governance, Respect for Human Right, Equity and search for Legitimacy. Also, there should be De-Militarization of the conflict-affected contexts. Military Presence should be distinguished from Militarization and adequate development culture sensitive interventions put in place for a holistic recovery and subsequent prevention of violent conflicts. This is the Process of deepening Democracy that empowers lives and wellbeing. I should say that peacekeeping and strategic violent conflict prevention that respects live and honors human dignity is what Nigeria needs currently.

Forgiveness, Reconciliation and other mechanisms/steps that are interventions initiated for sustainable just peace, development and wellbeing face the lukewarm disposition of either the victims or recipients of such services, owing to the fact of worldviews and individual perspectives. There should be a rigorous public awareness campaign on reconciliation process together with civil rights advocacy and peace education; also mindful of true commitment to the Federal System, improved infrastructures and Basic Needs of the society. Nelson Mandela is quoted to have said, “ Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”. Fortunately, education as a tool would though in a gradual manner and sequence, used to deconstruct Pillars of our worldviews. By this phenomenon, we unlearn to learn.

Creating a Safe Space for Stories of both Victims and Perpetrators through the inauguration of Truth, Reconciliation and Justice Commission should be encouraged. The activities of this commission must be independent of the Government manipulations and should satisfactorily reach the victims and perpetrators at all levels, most especially at the grass root level, respecting each individual’s right to expression and guided by the constitution. Human security must be guaranteed as the society opens herself to walking through the bitter but healing path of recovery and wellbeing. The Law and Constitution should be the yardstick for the process and outcome as no individual or group would act above the Law. The recommendations of the commission and report must be appropriately implemented. This should be at Local Government, State Government and Federal Government Levels.

There should be a ‘behind the scene’ approach to Negotiation. A trusted 3^rd party is to engage or meet with Stakeholders behind Cameras in order to create/initiate a common ground for a Reconciliation Program. Also simultaneous with this, is an Amnesty program that gives room for a ‘Hold/Halt’ of actions by both the Government and Boko Haram, while the safe space for stories is created. This will build Trust. The Track II mediation should in every way possible be encouraged.

The proposed Truth Reconciliation and Justice Commission should outline a holistic dimension to Peace building – Psychosocial Trauma Support and Wellbeing, Structural Development, together Restorative Justice (if adopted by the system) and Humanitarian Services. Possible Mediation interventions should be put in place to facilitate the process and also the strategies for reintegration together with psychosocial recovery and wellbeing. Meeting the needs of the internally displaced and probably re-engineering and re-designing the judicial system would go a long way to lubricating the peace process.

All Civil Society Groups that have the power of influence or advocacy over both perpetrators and victims should be engaged in creating awareness for knowledge on Harms that were caused and readiness to ask for forgiveness and possible acceptance of responsibility; also appealing for a space in hearing and telling of stories from victims. Compensations (economic reintegration) should be adequate alongside rehabilitation of the internally displaced. There should also be a commitment on the part of the perpetrators not to incur further injury. Also there should be a new, mutual and enriching relationship being formed/initiated from both parties.

The Tiers of Government should place the priorities of the citizens before other matters at parliaments. The many sessions of the Senate and the House have shown the choice of less important matters over oftentimes, what could be seen as the most important or priority. Worthwhile time should be spent on deliberations of security and wellbeing than trivial and self-centered issues. Also, members must be impartial and objective, guiding against ethnic, religious and political sentiments while deliberating on issues of national unity.

My bet on the issue of what should be done is that the responsibility falls on the shoulders of both the government machineries and the citizens of Nigeria in a collective manner. It is an inclusive and participatory process. I regard it as a path to recovery, which entails not only curbing terrorist actions, but also putting mechanisms in place for prevention and sustainability to avoid national disintegration and fragmentation. Our mitigation effort of the existing conflict should be holistic as the various forms of interventions that Nigeria would not only design but also implement for both short term and long term implications. The approach should be proactive if there is proper management of resources for post violence reconstruction and contextual/situational reconstruction. This reconstruction is strategically at all levels of our society. Leadership is critical and so transformation should be injected into the Tiers of government and politics in order to bring about ‘restored confidence’ by the citizens.

Humanitarian assistance must go along with both structural and human development, through the process of integrating both strategies and initiatives. Security of persons and property must be reengineered strategically to respect human lives while operational. Early warning mechanisms should be put in place as well. The individual and the collective society have been traumatized in various forms by the acts of Boko Haram in the north and so; there should be psychosocial trauma healing on the victims. This would possibly prevent and break the cycle of violence. Education, like leadership is critical and this should be multiple and at all levels in order to ‘redesign’ our worldviews. Our multi ethnicity and religiosity can only be well facilitated towards a common ground for understanding and practice of spirituality from these religious heritages. There should be a ‘safe space’ for exchange of perspectives and so religious leaders play a paramount role in this process. I know that such a process would synthesize the fact that we are all human beings before we took/had our individual and collective religious identities.

Possible strengths and weaknesses

I acknowledge the fact that non-violence has often been regarded by many as a form of weakness or an indication of a sterile agency. The hidden truth about non-violence is that it is the power that controls or transforms violence in whatever form, context or content.

The process will embrace all levels of the society (micro, meso and macro levels in the system). It will be all-inclusive as it exhibits a holistic approach, covering the Peace building wheel, which is a model for social reconstruction after complex and violent conflict. Though it appears an exaggerated process, it involves costs but less that the worth of a just peace society.

The proposed intervention appears to create participation at all levels and it also shows some signs of transparency in participation and commitment. It revitalizes the whole system because it is a transformative process. It implies therefore, an equitable representation and a foundation for sustainable and stable society; as it democratizes the society and its systems/structures. We must not forget the issue of memorials, religious ceremonies and rituals in line with those who lost their lives as a symbol of respect and honor.

Corruption might still be manifest in the handling of the process as long as there is an adequate respect for human rights, dignity and freedom of actions. Also, the clash of inter-ethnic, religious and political interests might still be visible because Nigeria is multi ethnic and religiously indoctrinated. One basic fact is that the credibility of the judicial system is still not strong and so the victims would exhibit lack of trust. The fear of Deceit and Sabotage might among other variables, lead to a lack of interest and lack of commitment from the citizens.

Concluding reflection

Reconciliation would not be a sustainable and genuine process if it were devoid of forgiveness on the part of anyone who is either a victim or an offender. In Peace building Process, the language goes beyond the intellect to the language of the heart because it is a phenomenal emotive force and process. This process can only be realistic when there is ‘openness’ on the part of both parties most especially expressed as in-depth communication, which Thich Nhat Hanh spells out. This kind of loving and compassionate communication ends wars and all forms of conflict. Our wrong perceptions about the other ‘fuels’ conflict and violence.

One should be careful not to exaggerate the status of either the victim or perpetrator. Pathologizing or naming/stigmatizing the parties involved would be making the memories to interpret our future experiences/encounters without minding the ultimate truth that Human Dignity is the underlying and inherent factor, which defines and describes both parties. This might be a new form of dehumanization.

In exploring the three levels of our society, I should say that the grassroots should be empowered with peace education and community capacity increased in such a manner that youths would resist the juicy prices/compensations attached to their recruitment by Boko Haram for example. The community-youth task force is a good initiative but sensitive in itself. This might be mistaken as an opportunity for future gorilla group formation as these youths would still retain weapons and at the same perform jungle justice. Building community peace networks would go a long way to weaken the capacity for violence.

This shows how inadequate the civil/religious bodies and their leaders have been. What is the effect of religion on those who carryout these ungodly and inhuman actions against life either in a manner of initiating attack or in the manner of retaliation. Nigeria as a nation has the capacity to generate indigenous mechanisms (our patterns) to reducing violence and yielding a sustainable just society. This ownership of interventions would also mean our responsibility for the Hope we have for our dear country.

Worthy of note is the fact that dependent on deep objective analysis of conflict and determining the causes of the violence which we experience in the north of Nigeria (and also in the middle belt and south), non violent peacebuilding measures/initiatives if properly coordinated will promote a just, sustainable social, economic and political structures and relationships.

If the Conflict’s intensity were properly monitored, early warning response would be applied through Mediation with Facilitation and Negotiation at the point of awareness leading to possible community capacity building on peace and wellbeing. We should join efforts to prevent the fragmentation of the country our patriotic heroes labored to preserve.