December 15, (THEWILL) – A Non-governmental Organization (NGO), Allamin Foundation for Peace and Development, has urged stakeholders, including religious and traditional leaders, to preach forgiveness and peaceful coexistence for the victims of insurgency in the State.
The Executive Director, Allamin Foundation for Peace and Development, Hamsatu Allamin, made the call during a one-day quarterly project reflection, dissemination of learning and best practices with the theme: “Strengthening Capacities and Will for Transitional Justice and Reconciliation in Borno State,” held in Maiduguri.
Hamsatu said the aim of the quarterly meeting was to get feedback from all the stakeholders and partners with a view to come up with a better approach that will ensure lasting peace in the State.
She also emphasised the need for everyone to support transitional justice hence it is not an individual struggle but rather a collective participation in the overall interest of peace and development.
She revealed that transitional justice has started yielding positive results as some deradicalized women went to the bush to convince their husbands and bring them out of the bushes to embrace peace and the reintegration process.
“These people were misinformed and they have started showing remorse, in fact, they are seeking forgiveness and regret their actions.
“So, we went to the community to engage the leaders and individuals, especially women and youths to understand that some of them are victims and there is a need for us to preach forgiveness and embrace peace.
“I can tell you that out of 90 of them we started this project with, 80 of them are now community peace champions and some of the women go to the bush and come out with their husbands to embrace peace. Peace is essential and I urge all our leaders to continue preaching peace,” she said.
Also, the stakeholders suggested that security measures should be intensified by the security agencies and volunteers, including CJTF, vigilantes, hunters and youths in the remote villages as clashes between farmers and loggers are still being experienced.
The stakeholders also recommended the participation of community leaders and other religious in the execution and implementation of transitional justice in their communities.
Earlier, Allamin Foundation Project Manager on Reintegration, Mr. Samuel Orahii, welcomed the community stakeholders and partners, saying it is essential to get feedback from them for effective implementation of the transitional justice, reconciliation, and reintegration process.
The project was funded by the UK Aid for Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) under the Conflict, Stability and Security Funds in the Lake Chad Basin.
