By Ijeoma UKAZU
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center, CISLAC, has pushed for gender equity, multi-stakeholder participation, and inclusiveness in early warning systems, as well as comprehensive responses from appropriate authorities to lessen conflict tensions in Nigeria.
The call was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of a one-day capacity building for Community Observers and Response Networks on Early Warning and Early Response to conflicts in Lagos State.
The communiqué was signed by Auwal Ibrahim Musa, Executive Director, CISLAC;Treasures Uchegbu, Convener, Speaking Fingers Network and Odeyemi Richard, Lagos State Safe School Technical Working Group.
The communique noted that proactive reporting of Early Warning signals of violence by eyewitnesses is hampered by repeated threats from armed rival forces against attempts to do so by the community.
It further observed that poor resilience at community levels hinders collective monitoring and timely Response to Early Warning signals.
Similarly, it listed associated indicators including mental health challenges, inter-ethnic/inter-religious tensions, unemployment, and youth restiveness which accelerate conflict.
Further, it said key indicators in Early Warning signal are, vote-buying, protests, hate speeches, cultism, gangsterism, human rights abuses, small arms proliferation, and discriminate destructions.
According to the communique the listed key indicators may degenerate into a major conflict in the absence of a proactive Early Warning Early Response system.
Participants at the one-day conference organised by the civil society legislative advocacy centre, CISLAC and transparency international in Nigeria with support from the Open Society Foundation, however listed the benefits of effective conflict management through well-institutionalised Early Warning Early Response mechanisms.
The communiqué reads, “Effectively managed conflict through well-institutionalised Early Warning Early Response mechanisms and process stimulates interest, improves positive communication, elicits social change and all-inclusive benefits.”
It stressed, “Unattended gender disparity and inherent discrimination enabled by systemic and other socio-cultural barriers in Early Warning system delays inclusive information gathering to assist adequate Response to conflict signals at all levels.”
“Effective Early Warning system must take into cognisance sufficient data gathering and collection, proactive signal analysis, effective communication and response through bias-free, factual and verifiable information presentation,” it added.
However, it warned, “Delayed response by relevant authorities coupled with inadequate intelligence information gathering structures on Early Warning signals hinder conflict de-escalation effort at community levels.”
It, therefore, recommended Building community resilience to activate a synergy, and preparedness, and harnessing internal/external mobilised resources in support of Early Warning and Early Response mechanisms.
Continuing, the communiqué insisted on gender equity and multi-stakeholders involvement in Early Warning mechanisms and processes to elicit all-inclusive and comprehensive responses by relevant authorities.
CISLAC also called for mainstreaming of Early Warning awareness and sensitisation into extra-curricular activities in schools’ system to guide socialisation process, reduce tension, and encourage peaceful co-existence among students.
It further appealed for the “mainstreaming of the Traditional Institutions, Religious/Community Leaders, women/youth-led Associations to elicit inclusiveness, trust, ownership, and sustainability in Early Warning and Early Response system and process.”
The meeting recommended the integration of the gatekeeping system at community levels to support accurate reporting processes that facilitate Early Response mechanisms.
“Strengthening community surveillance system and collaboration through a proactive approach like Community In-road Advocacy to identify and de-escalate threats to a successful Early Warning Early Response sensitisation effort and system,” it added.