CONFLICT TRANSFORMATION AND PEACE BUILDING

Due to the rising nature of instability and violence eruption in the Niger Delta, the Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (IHRHL), decided to initiate the conflict transformation strategies unit that is dedicated to global peace and security and the eradication of all forms of conflict and violence in this region. It works through a variety of approaches such as conflict management techniques, alternative dispute resolution, conflict prevention, negotiation, arbitration and peace building and development and monitoring of governmental peace building agencies and law enforcement agencies.

The mission of this unit is to intervene in communities where conflict exists, transforming the existing conflict Situation in the Niger Delta into sustainable peace. We intend to forge project aimed at providing a forum for international and intercommunity consultations between grassroots groups in order to forge new alliance, strengthen the existing foundation of peace and find new ways to transform the situation from the bottom up and make knowledge available for resolving conflict. We intend to initiate forums for parties to a long drawn conflict to come together and share their vision for lasting peace without being intimidated by people who hold power.

We also embark on education in schools primary, secondary and higher institutions for the purpose of curbing secret cult activities and introducing them to alternatives to violence.

This unit is vested with the responsibilities of monitoring governmental Peace-building agencies such as panel of enquiries and tribunals set up by government to investigate communal clashes. Enquiries are also made into so that the rights of the civil society are not abused by governmental law enforcement agencies such as the police.

We facilitate change that promotes condition for sustainable peace, introducing a culture of peace by curbing the factors that breed violence in different communities and schools and supporting other peace related organizations.

This unit also intends to forge new alliance that creates peace between government and the people of Niger Delta region and to transform conflict situations to peace and democracy and also to provide constituencies with alternative to the political peace settlement and to curb the proliferation of arms in the region. This initiative led to a 2-day methodology workshop organized our institute in collaboration with the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Foundation on small arms proliferation in the Niger Delta here in Port Harcourt. People were given opportunity to reflect critically on their context and current issues, which may be included in research Programmes. In a paper presented by the institute these among others were highlighted due to its prevailing nature:
1. The Niger delta peoples volunteer force (NDPVF) led by Alhaji Mujahid Asari Dokubo and the Niger delta vigilant led by Atake tom which comprises of young rivers men of the Ijaw extraction. In addition to these two groups, there are well over 100 smaller armed groups parading the land called and referred to as ‘cults’. Many of these of these cult groups formed alliance with either of the godfathers group of Asari and tom, as the two-god father group fought for supremacy and government patronages.
2. Ruthless politicians that emerged with the transition to democracy in 1999 exacerbated youth militancy in the entire region. Politicians turned young men into and hired them as thugs to carry out violence to ensure their inordinate victory during the election. This has led to the proliferation of small arms there by intensifying violence.
3. Divide and rule role of oil extractive corporations: multinational extractive corporation are required by relevant petroleum laws to make payment to the federal government. There are also customary and statutory payments made to oil-bearing communities. Such designation as host communities bring some attendant benefits in the form of compensation, community development funds and vale promises of employment and contracts. The industries negotiate such arrangement with community representatives, notably the top traditional rulers and chiefs. This policy has fueled inter communal conflict by funneling large quantities of money to the tribal leaders, many of whom fail to share the benefits with their communities.
4. Poverty in the midst of plenty has generated extreme conflict, the war lords of the region Asari and Tom recruit their fellows from the large pool of unemployed youths, many of whom are graduates from universities, frustrated with years of extreme poverty and lack of employment occasioned by extreme bad governance. The Niger delta is known for its oil wealth but few benefit from such wealth.
5. Lastly, is the use of youths by oil extractive corporations for stealing We have highly organized conglomerates of oil bunkers, which comprises of expatriate and local business men, high level politicians and military personnel who recruit youth leaders to help their criminal activities.

This unit also initiates campaign calling for peace selecting and training local actors known as counselors of peace who work for peace and justice in respective communities within the capacity delegated to them by the regional headquarters, which will involve extensive research.

We would be holding further Programmes for the furtherance of peace building and development, such Programmes will include: workshop, seminars, publications, and professional training services and advice center. The purpose of the programme is to bring people together and sharing their views and their grievances and an opportunity to voice a common understanding of peace building and development campaign for peace to improve people’s skills and their capacity to restore broken relationship and to build a democratic society and most importantly ensure development because where there is no development there is no peace.

This unit wants to network and liaise with your organization, firstly by getting more training; skills, strategies and training manuals to enable us successfully carry out the above-mentioned Programmes and achieve our aims.

We will be indeed great full to hear from you.

Project on Small Arms in the Niger Delta

Overview of project on small Arms in the Niger Delta - by Prof. O. Ibeanu

He shows that there is heightened level of security in the Niger Delta that is unprecedented in the history of the region. This situation has really calls for concerns both in the public and in government about the giving insecurity due to armed gangs.

He believes that there is a relationship between the spate of violence, armed robbery, kidnapping of oil workers and general insecurity in the Niger Delta and the ready availability of small arms and light weapons. He shows that by giving some statistical data on small arms and general insecurity in Rivers state.

The paper believes that the heightened insecurity and small arms were caused by the last general elections where politicians used gang and armed men to attack political opponents and these arms never returned to the politicians but remained with these young gangs.

The general insecurity has made possible for an urgent integrated intervention to address the problem of small arms and light weapons in the Niger Delta. He argues that existing intervention where government use both “Carrot and Sticks” strategies have failed.
There is therefore an urgent integrated, stakeholder – driven solution to respond to the problem of small arms in the Niger Delta. The specific objective of this thrust include

• To improve knowledge about the flows, uses and consequences of small arms.
• To develop an efficient information gathering and sharing framework for stakeholders etc.
• To improve communication among stakeholders, particularly government, security agencies, NGOs and local communities.
• To evaluate existing control measures and suggest ways of improving them.
• To suggest ways of linking small arms control to conflict management and peace building measures in the Niger Delta

The project consists of three (3) components namely:
a. Research
b. Establishment of “database on small arms” and;
c. Stakeholders dialogue.

Research will provide the connection among the various parts of the project. That is useful information for the database on which periodic dialogue of stakeholders will be based. This research is policy oriented.
a. A survey of existing knowledge and practical interventions dealing with small arms. What is state of knowledge? Who is doing what on small arms in the Niger Delta?
b. Social context of proliferation of small arms in the Niger Delta. In this regard, it seeks to answer the question what major social, economic and political factors sustain the flows and uses of small arms in the Niger Delta?
c. Nature of flows of small arms. What are the main sources and drivers of small arms flows? Are they locally made, imported or recycled?
d. Strategies of controlling small arms proliferation. What are existing strategies? What are their strengths and shortcomings? How can they be improved? What comparative experiences from within and outside Nigeria could inform improved policy?
e. Converting resources that support small arms proliferation to productive uses. How can the local small arms industry be converted to other uses such as production of agricultural implements?
This will establish comprehensive and easily accessible database and information hub on small arms in the Niger Delta.

To establish a series of bi-monthly policy dialogue among the stakeholders in the issue of small arms proliferation in the Niger Delta – e.g. Policy makers, NGOs, Agencies etc.
This will become an authoritative and definitive source of information for policy makers and researchers within and outside Nigeria.
From the discussions, issues of sources of arms were raised.
It was generally agreed that the traditional institutions have contributed more in the proliferation of arms in the Niger Delta. It was used as means of wealth accumulation by using young gangs for selfish reasons.
It was also agreed that leadership in Nigeria is responsible for the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the Niger Delta. This is done especially to fight elections and victory in election. Weapons therefore become means for ascending to state power.

It was agreed equally that the issue of ‘Carrot and Stick’ strategy has not quite worked out. This is because this strategy lades the strength to sustain the conflict management and resolutions as well as peace building for actually stopping the arms proliferation in the Niger Delta.

Towards a methodology for the study of small Arms Proliferation in the Niger Delta – by Ogban Iyam U.N.N

Introduction:

The paper argues that its task is two folds:
The first task is to reinforce profession and the second is to forewarn researchers who may participate in the project to be forewarned on the possible areas of difficulty as they emerge.

The paper is therefore divided into four parts. Introduction, suggested checklist for researchers, brief discussion of the possible problems of policy oriented research on small arms proliferation in the Niger Delta and concluding summary.

A checklist for Researchers
The paper argues that participants in this project of small arms proliferation must collectively reflect on the following:
1. The title of the project and the title of their specific tasks
2. The major concepts especially the variables and the empirical indicators they employ in their study.
3. Objectives of research
4. The questions or puzzles or problems whose answers by must have
5. What other researchers have written in respect of the questions for study
6. Theorizing on the relations of the variables,
7. Possible tentative empirical answers or hypothesis
8. The measurement they employ, especially the issues of reliability and validity of measures and the levels of measurement and,
9. The design they use in gathering data
10. The populations and samples of study,
11. Data gathering techniques and,
12. Data analysis techniques
The paper argues that the collective reflection on these aspects of research is necessary in order to really have one research project. It is important to define the term “ small arms” so that researchers can recognize them when they see them. It goes further to explain the checklist. (PP2 – 5)

Possible problems of a policy oriented research on small arms

The paper mentioned some of the problems associated with this kind of research. Among which are the dangers of research on small arms and the difficult terrain of the Niger Delta. Proliferation of small arms is essentially an illegal, clandestine, deadly and multi-million naira business and so powerful and ruthless people are involved in the business.

The paper also argues that since many communities or groups are involved in the small arm proliferation, since these communities are waging political struggles with the active support of their communities, that it may not be methodologically helpful to place much hope on the information of the communities that bear arms.

Therefore, it is better to get such information through unobtrusive measures. This unobtrusive participant observation should be used for the research on small arms in the Niger Delta.
The paper concluded by arguing that there must be methodological rigour to ensure that the topic of the research is bound in time and space, that the basic concepts employed and their empirical indicators are clear to the researchers, that the questions are as much as possible reduced to empirical verifiable statements, that the objectives of the research are clear, that the literature is searched thoroughly, and that the issue of reliability and validity are ensured in testing the hypotheses and appropriate methods for data generation and analysis facilitates a research process.

Discussion
In discussing the paper, participants raised the issue of using knowledgeable individual; interview (KII) as part of the methodology in small arms proliferation in the Niger Delta. This is to avoid unnecessary risk in the research project.
Participant observation was also accepted as important part of the research technique for data generation for the research project.
Participant also agree that this research on small arms proliferation is not a research for newcomers and that it needs experienced and capable hands to handle it. This is because Niger Delta presents a peculiar case, which needs experienced hands in this kind of research.
The definition of U.N on small arms was equally accepted as working and guiding tool for the research.

Survey of Research on Small Arms in the Niger Delta by Steve Worlu

The paper argues the situation in the Niger Delta as regards insecurity over resource control has really made the region volatile and research a risky business in the region. It advocates that the methodological approach should be outside the normal research methods in order to elicit the needed information for the project. This is because there is a great threat both to the researcher and the research itself.

It also states that to survey, one must analyze the conflict in its dynamics and nature in the Niger Delta and this include the social, economic, political and cultural issues surrounding the Niger problems and small arms proliferation.

The paper gives an overview of areas in the West African sub-region where the issue of resource control has really triggered off conflict between communities and communities, and between communities and the state. Such examples as Togo, Sierra – Leone, Liberia, Cote Voire, even the great lake region were not spanned. Thus, there is a relationship between extractive activities and conflict in these regions including the Niger Delta, especially if the state depends on these extractive activities as the major source of revenue. The problem of control tends to generate conflict and the intensification of acquisition of small arms for competitive fight over control. In the process criminal elements involved which makes the whole proliferation of small arms complex. E.g. bunkering, armed robber and so on become involved in the acquisitive instinct of small arms for their nefarious activities.

The paper therefore, argues that the design of the research requires must take into consideration the risk involved in the research and then train researcher for this project on small arms proliferation. And the field work for small arms must find out ways of penetrating communities to beat the high level of community sentiment which is rave in the Niger Delta . this is in order to get reliable information for the project.

Again, Niger Delta presents a peculiar situation in the sense that it is always very difficult to manage in research of this sort. This unobtrusive method of data collection was also advocated for the research so that the objectives of the research can be achieved.

Discussion

Participants agreed that a great problem exist because mutual mistrust has really grown and will like do harm to the project. The issue of confidence building was emphasized so that the communities and people of the Niger Delta see researchers as friends not as enemies or agents of the state.

They also agreed that the proliferation of small arms are encouraged and sustained by politicians who want to ascend to state power or maintain their status quo. Thus, it was argued that since the last general elections in 2003, small arms proliferation and conflicts have really been in the increase and it seems that small arms proliferation has become a means for ascending to state power and maintaining it.

Overview of the Bayelsa study - CASS

The paper started by stating that Bayelsa was created in 1996 and is an acronym from Brass, Yenegoe and Sagbama. There is a high level of mobilization according to the paper which is essentially due Kayema declaration made in 1998 which emphasizes the issue of control of resources by youths in Bayelsa because of total neglect by the state. This mobilization arise because the youth believe that by control oil resources and revenue accruing from it, they could be able to provide essential social amenities to their people which government has really failed to provide. To do this and to challenge the state small arms were acquired for this purpose Nembe is a case illustration where the community has really mobilized its people for conflict and this borders on conflict of interest between the Niger Delta people and the Nigerian state. And this generates insecurity in the region. Hence, there is intensification of small arms acquisition for the conflictual situation. This sustains the small arms proliferation and its flourishing in the state.

Furthermore, the paper suggest that politicians during elections especially the last general elections in 2003, arm the young groups as a spring board to ascend to state power. These arms are never returned after elections and they are used to perpetuate all sort clandestine activities in the state. One important issue is that the young ones who possess these small arms think that they legitimately acquire them since they came through political leaders.

The paper also argues that the terrain of Bayelsa has actually aided the proliferation of small arms because it makes the acquisition of such weapons possible and quick. This is essentially due to its terrain with many creeks and waterfronts which open up the state for easy acquisition of thee small arms which eventually is used to perpetuate crime and heighten conflict in the state

Overview of the Delta study – (PEDEP)
Study on violent conflicts and small arms in the Niger Delta overview of small arms proliferation in Delta state by Peace and Development projects (PEDEP)

Introduction
The paper argues that the Niger Delta is a heterogeneous, multicultural and ethnically diverse region with a complex ecosystem. Oil resources have actually made it to be of national and international importance Despite its huge oil resources, the region has remained underdeveloped with high rate of poverty and deplorable conciliation of the rural communities. It is this characterized by environmental degradation and fast decaying socio-economic condition amidst deadly conflicts of various dimensions. There is a guerilla insurgents across the coasts and creeks of the Niger Delta which drew regional and international attention. The 2004 insurgents cannot be dismissed as a mere cult activities at least from the sophistication of its operation and number of arms and ammunitions under its control. Thus illegal procurement and indiscriminate proliferation of arms pose potential threats to Nigerian nation.

Delta state: the state was created in 19991 by the military government of general Babangiba.
The strategic location of the state makes it the melting point for major ethnic groups in the south – south and it has the largest percentage of crude oil deposits, as oil has become the mainstay of Nigerian economy since the early 1970’s.
The paper argues that there had been preponderant of violent clashes in Delta state since the return to civil rule in 1999. These conflicts were broadly grouped into three:
1. Ethnic clashes/ communal violence: which include intra and inter communal clashes as well as violent conflicts involving ethnic militias.
2. Civil disturbances and violent activities: this category comprises of violent protests by youths as well as other forms of violent clashes involving social groups
3. Political conflicts and electoral violence: which manifest in forms intra and inter party violent conflicts, political disturbances and electoral violence.
Hence, all these conflicts were virtually prosecuted with the deployment of light arms and ammunitions. Examples of violent clashes where small arms were used were also given – Umasadge and Benekuku communities in Ndokwa East/West local government areas in 1999 and the inter-communal clashes involving Olomoro, Oleh and Emede communities in Isoko south local government area between 1998 and 1999. The Ijaw – Itshekiri conflict which claimed several lives was another example. This conflict occurred following the announcement of Ogbe/Ijaw in 1997 as the headquarters of Warri south/west local government and subsequent relocation of the headquarters to Ogidigben/Itshekiri lent credence to the increased use of small arms and light weapons in the conflict that ensured between the two ethnic groups.
Thus the prevalence of small arms in these conflicts appeared to involve rigorous and organized planning with heavy reliance on sustained source of funding.

Locations of study on small arms in Delta state
Three major areas were mentioned as locations. These include Warri, Koko and Asaba the state capital.

Warri:

Warri is important because it is an oil rich town with indigenes drawn from major ethnic groups in Delta state which makes it to become theatre of war since the creation of Warri south local government area in 1997. There have been many dimensions to the violent conflict in Warri. There was the Ijaws and the Itshekiris angle which resulted in wanton destruction, sacking of a number of villages and displacement of thousands of families. There were clashes between the Urhobos and the Itshekiri as a result of disagreement over the control of Warri and this has witnessed intensification of deployment of small arms. There have also been rampant violent protests by youth groups against the oil companies and violent activities by touts in Effurum area of Warri.

Koko:

Koko is the headquarters of Warri North local government area of Delta state and as the same time an Itshekiri town. Its importance lies in its strategic position as a mini sea port and water ways and this makes it prone to attacks. In 1997 following the hostilities between the militant Ijaw youths and their Itshekiri neighbour conflicts of serious magnitude have occurred and unprecedented number of people died.

Asaba:

Asaba as the capital of Delta state has also witnessed protests by youths but not as violent and frequent as in other places so explained. But activities of security agents create tension in the state capital.
The paper then argues that the 2003 general elections really created room for illegal use of small arms since these arms were used as means for ascending to power. It is likely 2007 general election will even present a more intensification of use of small arms in Nigeria.
Thus, there is relationship between the prevalence of small arms and the intensification/reoccurrence of violent conflicts in the state. There is also a correlation between the rate of proliferation of these arms and the actual deployment by groups, communities and other stakeholders.

The paper gave relevant information and data in respect of types of small arms, proliferation and roles of security agents knowledge of possible sources of finance among others.

Methods of study
Three basic methods were mentioned for data collection
1. questionnaire method
2. interview method
3. documentation method

Conclusion
The paper argues that the outcome of this study or workshop should provide information that will enhance and generate further activities on small arms in the Niger Delta in particular and Nigeria in general.

Overview of the study in Rivers state – (IHRHL)
The paper examines how the issue of small arms became intense after the 2003 general elections and argues that during the elections youths were armed by politicians for the purpose of acquiring state power. The arms used for these elections were never returned and thus the general insecurity in the state. In fact, it was argued that the Niger youth council (IYC) which Asari became its president was groomed and supported by the state government before and during 2003 general elections. But later Asari and his group fail out of favour with the state government and the marriage of convenience became conflictual in nature. Thus Asari attacks on state government and its agencies. The Abuja peace meeting was to settle the two ‘warning factors’ i.e. the state government and the armed groups used for the 2003 general elections. Asari in the peace process brought in the issue of negligence on the part of River state and federal government and the level of poverty in the region and the confluctual situation for move to control oil resources in the state in order to provide the neglected with social amenities in the absence of implementation of the social contract.
The consequences of all these have been so grave – many are displaced, many lost their lives and property. But the border line remains that futile the perpetrators of these crimes and conflicts have been compensated, the victims have been forgotten and neglected.
The paper also emphasizes the linkage between small arms proliferation and conflict in Rivers state. Although the sources of these small arms are known, it seems that they are untouchables, i.e. political office holders in power and they cannot be prosecuted. So politicians are deeply involved in the small arms proliferation in Rivers state. So the availability of money and market really provides the opportunity and encourage small arm proliferation in Rivers state.

Conclusion

The concluded by arguing that politicians are building up weapons since they knew and have come to understand that the secret way of acquiring state power is through the barrel of the gun. This is to ensure victory and ascendance to state power come 2007. this also engenders sanity in the state.,

Discussions

From the discussions, participants agreed that small arms proliferations have been intensified by politicians in their bid to acquire state power which becoming for them a veritable instrument for wealth accumulation. They also believe that these politicians are never prosecuted and retrieve the guns back after elections. This is its totality increases small arms proliferation across the country.
It was also accepted that the dismissed of trained police due to the allegation of taking bribe is fast increasing the proliferation of arms together with the returnee from Liberia