My recent trip to Kigali, Rwanda a few days ago provided me with insight towards resolving ongoing conflicts in northern Nigeria.
While there, I was opportuned to visit the country’s genocide memorial site. Visiting the site reawakens my consciousness of the danger we are sitting in.
As our guide who was five years old at the time the incident happened, took us through the horrendous history of Rwanda’s genocide of 1994, my mind resonated on the ongoing farmers-herders conflict in northern Nigeria. The tour offers poignant lessons on the catastrophic consequences of ethnic tensions and the pathways to reconciliation and peace.
In 1994, Rwanda experienced one of the most brutal genocides in modern history. Over the course of approximately 100 days, an estimated 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were systematically killed by extremist Hutu militias.
The genocide was rooted in deep-seated ethnic divisions, exacerbated by historical grievances, propaganda, and a lack of effective political and social mechanisms to manage conflicts and differences.
Similarly, the ongoing conflict in the north between farming communities (largely represented by the Hausa and other ethnic groups) and herding communities (predominantly the Fulani) has from all accounts now escalated into a violent ethnic struggle.
Historically, these communities coexisted with minimal friction, to the extent that you can no longer distinguish who is a Hausa or a Fulani due to intermarriage, but changing environmental conditions, competition for land and resources, and political manipulation have ignited severe tensions.
The result of this has been widespread violence, loss of lives, and deepening mistrust we are witnessing among the communities.
The Rwandan genocide highlighted the importance of recognizing early warning signs of ethnic violence. International and local actors must be vigilant in identifying and addressing tensions before they escalate into an unpleasant situation as in Rwanda 20 years ago.
The use of media to spread hate and incite violence was a significant factor in the Rwandan genocide. Countering misinformation and promoting balanced narratives is therefore crucial in preventing ethnic conflicts. Thus, ethnicising crime with phrases like “Fulani bandits” is indeed inflammatory and exacerbates the problem with ethnic target killings and reprisals.
Combating Hate Speech and Propaganda is therefore essential. Adhering to the established robust media regulations to prevent the spread of hate speech and misinformation is vital in this context. Promoting narratives of unity and coexistence through media and educational programs would foster better understanding among communities.
Ensuring accountability for crimes committed is essential for healing and rebuilding trust. Rwanda’s reconciliation efforts, including community-building initiatives and trauma healing programs, have been central to the country’s recovery.
Establishing mechanisms for early detection of tensions and deploying mediators can help prevent conflicts from escalating. Local leaders, religious figures, and community elders should play crucial roles in mediating the prevailing disputes in the north.
Establishing Justice Mechanisms through Creation of platforms for justice where grievances can be addressed, and perpetrators of violence are held accountable, is furthermore critical to this course.
While promoting Inclusive development is imperative, addressing the root causes of the conflict, such as competition over land and resources, requires inclusive economic development.
Investing in agricultural technologies, sustainable farming practices, and alternative livelihoods therefore should be intensified to reduce the pressures that lead to the conflict.
Our governments need to institute programs for Community Reconciliation. Initiatives that bring together members of the opposing groups to engage in dialogue, cultural exchanges, and joint community projects can help rebuild trust. The programs should focus on trauma healing, conflict resolution skills, and promoting mutual respect.
Strengthening Governance and Rule of Law is indeed key. This means ensuring that local, state and national governments are inclusive, transparent, and accountable. Effective governance can manage resources fairly and mediate conflicts impartially.
The reason for driving a lessons from the Rwandan genocide is to underscore the importance of proactive and comprehensive approaches to preventing and resolving ethnic conflicts. It’s to further stress the importance of non-kinetic approach to solving such conflict on our hands. It’s to also say that firepower alone doesn’t solve such a fluid conflict.
For northern Nigeria, a combination of early intervention, justice and accountability, economic development, and community-based reconciliation can pave the way for sustainable peace and coexistence.
By learning from past tragedies such as Rwanda, lies the hope for a future where diverse communities like northern Nigeria can live together in harmony.
Murakoze cyane! (“Thank You”).