Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger State, alongside other Northern States Governors, participated in a robust conflict, insecurity, and peace resolution symposium organized by the African Center of the United States Institute of Peace in Washington DC, USA.
Day 1 of the event focused on “Drivers of Insecurity and Opportunities for Stabilization,” looking at strengthening conflict prevention and mitigation and explore non-violent strategies for engaging armed groups through mediation and negotiation.
During the deliberations, participants deepened their understanding of insecurity within the context of unstable socioeconomic dimensions. They also discussed current approaches to insecurity and identified near-term opportunities for addressing drivers of instability in Northern Nigeria. Discussions further revolved around identifying options for strengthening conflict prevention and mitigation, drawing lessons from other countries, and contextualizing the role of regional and international assistance.
At the conclusion of the event, global best practices were shared for leveraging mediation and negotiation within a broader strategy of non-violent engagement with armed groups. Short-term options for violence prevention and mid- to long-term opportunities for disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration were also identified.