conflict dynamics & peacebuilding opportunities in northern nigeria lake chad
TRANSCRIPT
Conflict Dynamics & Peacebuilding Opportunities in Northern NigeriaAmira Noeuv, David Gross, Shannon Mills, & Lauren Reese
●Overview of Conflict Analysis
●Peacebuilding Approach
●Recommendations
The conflict between Boko Haram and the government erupted in 2009 in NE Nigeria
Source: Deutsche Welle, 2014
Boko Haram seeks to drive out the government
BBC
Terrorist attacks and fighting have disrupted daily life for people in the Lake Chad Basin
AP Photo/Jerome Delay
The broader political, economic, and social context in Nigeria contributes to the conflict
Source: Deutsche Welle, 2014
The conflict is occurring in the context of major environmental changes in the Lake Chad Basin
Source: Info Congo, 2015
Lake Chad has been shrinking, which increases competition for scarce water resources
Source: GRID-Arendal
Widespread grievances in NE Nigeria enabled Boko Haram to mobilize an insurgency
Poverty Governance Religion/Ethnicity
Diminishing land & water resources
Growing migration
Wealth concentrated in southern Nigeria
Corruption
Poor institutional performance
Political exclusion
Competition for leadership of Nigerian Muslims
Implementation of Sharia law in North
Kanuri ethnic identity
Key actors have the potential to mobilize people to violence or peacebuilding
Boko Haram Leader Abubakar Shekau
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari
Religious & traditional leaders
Nigerian civil societyThe Lake Chad Basin Commission
Nigeria has weakened Boko Haram militarily, but the underlying grievances persist
Population growthLong term trends
Triggers for
conflict escalation
Climate change
Demand for water and land
Poverty
Major terror attack
Excessive force
Economic recession
Boko Haram→ economic loses of >$15B in NE Nigeria
Disruption of core livelihoods by conflict
Changing environmental conditions → decreased crop yield & increased livestock mortality
Untapped farming and livestock potential for poverty reduction if water availability and management issues addressed
Economic Resilience
Peacebuilding StrategyPrograms
Youth Employment
Sustainable Livelihoods
Water and Land Use Agreements
Lake Chad Replenishment
Short-term Medium-term Long-Term
Business Skills Workshops
Micro-credit Programs
Sustainable Agriculture Training,Small-Scale Irrigation Projects, Well Construction
Market Access Strategies
Infrastructure Development
Cooperative Negotiation
Negotiated Agreement, Enforcement
Large-Scale Infrastructure for River Diversions
Community Research, Environmental Studies
Peacebuilding StrategyPrograms
Youth Employment
Sustainable Livelihoods
Water and Land Use Agreements
Lake Chad Replenishment
Short-term Medium-term Long-Term
Business Skills Workshops
Micro-credit Programs
Sustainable Agriculture Training,Small-Scale Irrigation Projects, Well Construction
Market Access Strategies
Infrastructure Development
Cooperative Negotiation
Negotiated Agreement, Enforcement
Large-Scale Infrastructure for River Diversions
Community Research, Environmental Studies
Youth Employment Initiatives
● Vocational training
● Apprenticeships
● Basic management and accountancy courses
● Small business associations
● Microfinance loans
Peacebuilding StrategyPrograms
Youth Employment
Sustainable Livelihoods
Water and Land Use Agreements
Lake Chad Replenishment
Short-term Medium-term Long-Term
Business Skills Workshops
Micro-credit Programs
Sustainable Agriculture Training,Small-Scale Irrigation Projects, Well Construction
Market Access Strategies
Infrastructure Development
Cooperative Negotiation
Negotiated Agreement, Enforcement
Large-Scale Infrastructure for River Diversions
Community Research, Environmental Studies
Training in sustainable agricultural practices1
● no-tillage systems
● shifting of sowing times
● use of organic manure
2Development of irrigation systems
Increased access to water points for pastoralists3
● Construction of boreholes
● Training in how to identify and operate wells
● Community consultation
Increased access to markets4
Peacebuilding StrategyPrograms
Youth Employment
Sustainable Livelihoods
Water and Land Use Agreements
Lake Chad Replenishment
Short-term Medium-term Long-Term
Business Skills Workshops
Micro-credit Programs
Sustainable Agriculture Training,Small-Scale Irrigation Projects, Well Construction
Market Access Strategies
Infrastructure Development
Cooperative Negotiation
Negotiated Agreement, Enforcement
Large-Scale Infrastructure for River Diversions
Community Research, Environmental Studies
Water & Land Use AgreementsIUCN Framework for
negotiating water agreements
Importance of dialogue at local level, institutions & civil society organizations, government
Komadugu Yobe Basin Integrated Wetland Program
Local LevelActivities in local community that helps to build trust along the Basin while also maintaining ecology of LCB
Short-term
Medium & Long Term Results KYB Program
Water Charter Agreement
Catchment Management Plan (CMP)
Comprehensive Water Audit
Barriers● Economic & political instability
● Cultural hierarchy & participation
● Lack of/incomplete data on the use, allocation and management of land and water
● States have not granted LCBC to assume more responsibilities
Recommendations
Government subsidies for irrigation farmers
Civil institutions developing projects to educate locals on advantages of the methods and technologies
Programs focused on implementing the different models of public participation
More authority to LCBC by member states
Peacebuilding StrategyPrograms
Youth Employment
Sustainable Livelihoods
Water and Land Use Agreements
Lake Chad Replenishment
Short-term Medium-term Long-Term
Business Skills Workshops
Micro-credit Programs
Sustainable Agriculture Training,Small-Scale Irrigation Projects, Well Construction
Market Access Strategies
Infrastructure Development
Cooperative Negotiation
Negotiated Agreement, Enforcement
Large-Scale Infrastructure for River Diversions
Community Research, Environmental Studies
The Need for Replenishment of Lake ChadAlmost dry on Nigerian
side of the Lake
Employment for 2 million Nigerians
50,000 tons of fish
Shared with other users
Lake Chad Replenishment Project● First proposed in 1988
● Transfer from Congo Basin to Chad Basin
● Hydroelectric dam on Oubangi River near Bangui
● Gradual restoration of Lake Chad
● Navigable waterway between basins
Cautions from southern Africa
Lesotho Highlands Water Project between South Africa and Lesotho
Large inter-basin transfer but not designed for peacebuilding
Successful by some measures BUT
Was less successful and problematic in some respects
Context of Chad and Congo Basins
Cost
Ensure benefits and access for all users
Environmental impact concerns
Support from all states of Chad Basin
Resistance from Republic of Congo and DRC
Are trade opportunities and hydropower enough?
Peacebuilding StrategyPrograms
Youth Employment
Sustainable Livelihoods
Water and Land Use Agreements
Lake Chad Replenishment
Short-term Medium-term Long-Term
Business Skills Workshops
Micro-credit Programs
Sustainable Agriculture Training,Small-Scale Irrigation Projects, Well Construction
Market Access Strategies
Infrastructure Development
Cooperative Negotiation
Negotiated Agreement, Enforcement
Large-Scale Infrastructure for River Diversions
Community Research, Environmental Studies
Conflict Dynamics & Peacebuilding Opportunities in Northern NigeriaAmira Noeuv, David Gross, Shannon Mills, & Lauren Reese