By KATO P. LADAN, Kaduna
There cannot be peace in crisis torn communities without the deliberate adoption of dialogue.
Mercy Corps Deputy Chief of Party in Nigeria, Sani Suleiman stated this when fielding questions from newsmen at an ongoing dialogue session organised by his organisation in partnership with Kaduna State Peace Commission for Kajuru Local Government Area stakeholders in Kaduna on Thursday July 23, 2020.
He explained that creating a safe space for stakeholders to dialogue brings about peaceful coexistence.
“In conflict situations, this safe space provides opportunity for goverment and citizens to engage themselves to collaborate and work together to sustain peace.
“You cannot achieve peace without creating space for dialogue between the groups involved in the crisis,” he stressed.
Speaking further, he said that this ongoing session for Kajuru stakeholders is different from other engagements because it is a viable representation of groups.
“We are encouraging them to further create groups at community levels like women groups, youth groups and others to further carry on what they have learnt here,” he added.
The Deputy Chief of Party further stressed the uniqueness of the engagement.
“This is different it is not a one off engagement. This is an intervention that will go on for two years or more,” he assured.
On how they intend to reach the armed militia who for now remain unkown, he said in the long run, they would be fished out.
“This is a beginning by starting with community leaders involved, help them to understand the stereotype and addressing issues of criminal elements supporting the culprits engaging in the killings, they would now identify the informants, who would in turn name the Perpetrators,” he said.
He summerized their engagement as one that is multi dimensional.
