Military operation not an option in resolving Nigeria’s conflicts - US

Urging Nigeria to look beyond a military option in resolving internal conflicts, the appeal from the United States Institute of Peace, is coming following the military approach in combating Nnamdi Kanu led IPOB in the South Eastern region of Nigeria.

According to a report by The Guardian, the conference, which had Nigerian leaders, U.S. officials and diplomats, focused on “Peace in Nigeria: How to build it, and America’s role” and explored possible options beyond military operations. The symposium agreed on the need for the Nigerian government to strengthen the responsiveness of state institutions, address grievances and perceptions “before they become reality and improve accountability and transparency.”

The Acting Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Conflict and Stabilisation Operations, U.S. Department of State, Thomas Hushek, said durable peace in Nigeria will require a painstaking dialogue.

Hushek also describes Nigeria as a very critical U.S. partner on the continent, but added that the President Muhammadu Buhari government must in its pursuit of peace first identify the options that citizens want implemented.

The U.S. assistant secretary reportedly believes the “2019 election will be critical to Nigeria’s continued prosperity and stability owing to the current charged elections in two years.

“Achieving stability or building political peace is a political endeavour just as building trust and encouraging durable peace.” he said.

The conference agreed that “Nigeria under President Buhari has made military gains against the extremist fighters of Boko Haram” but observed that Nigeria’s varied conflicts have kept more than two million people displaced and weakened stability in the Lake Chad Basin and the Sahel region. “Peace and security will not be achievable purely through armed force,” the USIP said.

It further noted that peaceful Nigeria is vital to long-term U.S. interests as well as to a reduction in the world’s refugee crisis, and to the stability of Niger, Chad, Cameroon and other nations of the Sahel.

“Fortunately, President Buhari’s election in 2015 marked an advance for democracy as the country’s first peaceful transition of power to an opposition candidate. U.S. policy has supported his government’s campaign to push back Boko Haram."

The conference also built on what the organisers said was months of USIP-coordinated dialogues among the governors of northern states and civic leaders, including diplomats, retired civil servants, and scholars.

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"These dialogues join government officials and civil society in shaping more inclusive policies that can help prevent violent conflicts.”

Apart from the 15-year Boko Haram issue in the Northeast, Nigeria’s military is grappling with widespread conflicts within the country’s borders, as the second phase of its “Operation Python Dance” in the Southeast has put soldiers in direct confrontation with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Also in attendance were Pauline Baker, Yau, Yunusa Zakari, Dr. Jibrin Ibrahim, Ambassador Fatima Balla, General Martin-Luther Agwai, Cardinal John Onaiyekan; Dr. Usman Bugaje, and Dr. Oby Ezekwesili.