September 12, (THEWILL) – The commander of Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH), Major General Ibrahim Ali, inaugurated a 36-member Joint Peace Committee on Saturday, at the Operations Headquarters in Jos, Plateau state.
A statement by thr OPSH Military Information Officer, Major Ishaku Takwa, said the committee is to recommend measures to end the incessant clashes and killings among various ethnic groups in the state.
Ali urged members of the committee to demonstrate impartiality, neutrality, honesty, uprightness and avoid sentiment and compromise.
The statement disclosed that the members, who were drawn from ethnic communities in Bassa, Jos North and South LGAs, have the background knowledge of the conflict.
He hoped their experience in communal conflict resolution would assist in fast-tracking the restoration of peace on the plateau.
Ali stressed that sustainable peace can only be achieved through alternative dispute resolution mechanisms by all parties to the conflict.
The commander noted that the committee was created as part of the non-kinetic approach of Operation SAFE HAVEN to peace building in the state.
He added that the committee would assist in making recommendations that will help OPSH and the Plateau state government find lasting solutions to the incessant conflict among various ethnic groups of Irigwe, Fulani, Hausa, Bache, Dong, Gyel and Anaguta.
“It is hoped that, the outcome of this committee will contribute immensely to the peace building efforts in the targeted communities with a view to returning Plateau state to the path of peace and sustainable development.
The committee, according to Ali, would identify the root causes of the crises in Bassa, Jos North and Jos South local government areas and recommend implementable strategies that would lead to sustainable peace.
The chairman of the committee, Prince Robert Rigwe Ashi, gave assurances that the committee would discharge its duties diligently, and solicited the support of community leaders to achieve their mandate.
Speaking on behalf of traditional rulers, the District Head of Dong, Ada Gwom Kaze Inyam, thanked the commander for the initiative and urged the leaders of Irigwe, Fulani, Hausa, Bache, Dong, Gyel and Anaguta communities to support the committee.
The committee has two weeks to submit its report.
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