BY: ABDULKADIR M LAWAN
Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has emphasized that the best way to defeat insurgency is through dialogue.
He made the statement on Thursday during the launch of the Community-Based Reconciliation and Reintegration (CBRR) Policy and the Transitional Justice Framework by the Governors' Forum of the Lake Chad Basin.
'The best way to defeat insurgency is through dialogue,' he said.
The governor highlighted the importance of engaging with local communities and stakeholders to resolve conflicts.
Gov. Zulum's assertion is backed by the success of the 'Borno Model', a community-driven approach to addressing the challenges posed by Boko Haram insurgency.
The model, which emphasizes socio-economic and political strategies, has facilitated the surrender of over 200,000 repentant insurgents and their families in the past two years.
'We introduced the idea of community-based reconciliation and reintegration with the support of the UNDP and European Union... the policy was ultimately approved during the administration of Vice President Kashim Shettima as governor,' he recalled, tracing the origins of the CBRR initiative.
The CBRR Policy and Transitional Justice Framework, inspired by the Borno Model, aim to promote reconciliation, reintegration, and justice in communities affected by insurgency. By accepting and reintegrating willing defectors, establishing traditional justice mechanisms, and providing psycho-social support, the initiative seeks to break the cycle of violence and promote lasting peace.
'A key resolution from the forum was the decision to accept and reintegrate willing Boko Haram and ISWAP defectors while establishing a traditional justice mechanism to facilitate reconciliation,' the governor explained.
As the region continues to grapple with the challenges of insurgency, Gov. Zulum's emphasis on dialogue offers a beacon of hope.