In an innovative modus- operandi of Early Warning Response System, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)/Transparency International In Nigeria (TI-NIGERIA) has lamented on the state of insecurity in South East Nigeria and called for serious concern.
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)/Transparency International In Nigeria (TI-NIGERIA) made this lamentations in a Communique Issued At the End of Community Security Architecture Dialogue on Early Warning And Early Response, held at Golden Royale Hotel, Enugu on 24th January, 2024.
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)/Transparency International In Nigeria (TI-NIGERIA) With Support From Open Society Foundation Africa (OSF-AFRICA) and other key participants through dialogue proffer solution to lingering crisis in south East Nigeria.
The Dialogue aimed at strengthening local participation and expand community-based early warning and early response network and system. It brought under one roof, a selection of Traditional Rulers, Community Observers, members of the Community Response Networks, Security Actors, Civil Society and Local Government officials, to analyse early warning information and coordinate response efforts.
The participants in the communique while observing that
human security threats impact on people’s lives and livelihoods, disrupted socio-communal life, and deepened public distrust of state institutions, noted that Early Warning and Early Response Systems (EWERS) remain an important tool within the spectrum of actions for the prevention, management and mitigation of conflicts, crimes and hazards.
According to the communique security is a fundamental pre-occupation of every entity (individual, group, community, organisation and state), Human Security is paramount to protect the vital core of all human lives in ways that enhance human freedoms and human fulfilment.
In the communique it was revealed that since 2013, South East region has witnessed rising security incidence, exacerbated by attacks, armed clashes, mob violence, abduction, violence demonstration, looting and property destruction, sexual violence; and owing to the activities of unknown gunmen, IPOB, communal militia, pastoralists, political parties, Ebube Agu, cultists, MASSOB.
The communique also noted that between 2015 and 2023, the South East region recorded over 166 deaths related to environmental hazards, the second highest in the country with over 1 million people displaced (the highest in the country).
According to the communique invariably, Community Early Warning and Early Response system provides support to existing organizations and individuals advancing peace; builds capacity of community members to address or minimise tensions; assists planning and supportive arrangements for community security; alerts decision-makers and other relevant stakeholders; prevent violence before it starts; and minimise the effect of conflict on civilians.
It added that the Community Early Warning and Early Response Systems is necessitated by the need to for community to work together as a team to take actions that can help reduce harm or loss from a threat.
In the communique the group lamented that Efficient workability of Community Early Warning and Early Response systems is hampered by poor resourcing of human expertise and material; mistrust state and non-state actors; unclear and inaccurate information; lack of Information and Communication technology; political interference and vested interests; and gender bias.
The participants recommended in the communique that building a Community-Early Warning Early Response System that enhances human security through timely detection and response to situations that could lead to violent conflicts, serious crime or major hazards.
The participants in stated further that the Formation of Community Early Warning and Early Response Systems to activate adequate response to specific threats, set up efficient structure, coordinate information gathering, facilitate evidence-based response, trigger decision making towards early response.
They also advised on building a robust database to facilitate information provision on Community Early Warning and Early Response systems to store and present pertinent details about the nature, characteristics, causes and trend of the factor of interest.
Developing a strong analytical skill on Early Warning and Early Response to assess situations rationally, create effective plans, and overcome obstacles.
Gender mainstreaming in Early Warning and Early Response system for inclusive participation and information provision that enhance efficient functionality of Community response systems and structures.
Encouraging Community-Media working relationship to amplify reporting on threat signals for appropriate policy actions.
Active participation in Community Security Architecture through synergy building and adequate support for efficient working relationship among men, youth, women, local leaders, CBOs, state and non-state actors, as well as international organisations/bodies.
Enhancing efficient operationalisation of Community Early Warning and Early Response Systems through proactive reporting, incidence prioritisation, proper verification and coordinated response.
Proactive political economic analysis in Community EWER systems to identify threats to efficient operationalisation.
Enhancing individual conflict sensitivity and active participation in Community EWER monitoring system to elicit collective and well-coordinated response.
Observing Steps-by-Step approach to Early Response through conflict identification, information gathering and analysis, established prognosis, stakeholders’ integration, period estimation, planned intervention, intervention facilitation and proper follow-up actions.
There was an “Opening Remark” from the Executive Director of CISLAC, Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani). The Dialogue had a technical session with Presentation titled “Human Security Threat in Nigeria’s South East and the Imperative of Community Early Warning and Early Response system” by Prof. Freedom C. Onuoha. It was attended by over 20 participants. After brainstorming exhaustively on various thematic issues, the following observations and recommendations were made:
The communique was endorsed and signed by
Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani)
Executive Director, CISLAC/TI-Nigeria
Peggy Chukwuemeka
Parent-Child Intervention Centre
Kenloliss Ogbuzuru
Agents of Communication and Development
