Teaching Comparative Government and Politics

Monday, April 07, 2014

A need for barbed wire

Here's a story we don't often hear. A peaceful resolution to conflict. Watch for further developments.

If you're unfamiliar with the situation, Fulani herders seeking more grazing lands have been moving south and farmers in states like Benue don't like goats, sheep, and donkeys grazing in their vegetable and grain fields.

This has led to violent conflict between the northerners (seen as immigrants and mostly Muslim) and the farmers (mostly non-Muslim and non-Fulani).

Benue Farmers, Fulani Herdsmen Sign Peace Accord

Feuding Benue farmers and the leadership of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, MACBAN, an umbrella body of Fulani herdsmen have signed a peace accord to end all hostilities currently going on in parts of Benue State…

[T]he truce was brokered at the end of a peace meeting between the Deputy Inspector General of Police,… the… Benue State Reconciliatory and Peace Building Committee… [and] Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association…

Fulani herders in Benue

Reading the resolution of the meeting to newsmen, General Kpera… said both the Tiv/Agatu and Fulani have agreed to immediately cease hostilities, and also set up a task force to implement the peace agreement.

They vowed to fish out all criminal elements that were fuelling the dispute in order to effectively tackle the crisis…

"We have agreed to meet from time to time to build confidence and keep track of the implementation of the peace agreement."

The meeting also cautioned the feuding parties against taking laws into their hands, advising that all illegal road blocks set up my the parties for the purpose of searching vehicles to harass individuals be dismantled forthwith.