Picnews
Communities across 20 political wards in 10 local government areas of Sokoto State have participated in quarterly town hall meetings aimed at promoting peacebuilding, dialogue and social cohesion while addressing challenges associated with natural resource management.
The engagements were organised under the RECAP Project, implemented by Save the Child Initiative in partnership with Action Against Hunger and International Alert, with funding from the European Union.
The meetings brought together diverse stakeholders, including youths, elders, farmers, herders, members of the Women Mediators Network, persons with disabilities, internally displaced persons, religious leaders, community representatives and security agencies.
Speaking during one of the engagements, the RECAP Project Officer of Save the Child Initiative in Sokoto State, Tokara Lizkebe KB, said the meetings were designed to identify the root causes of conflict and develop practical solutions through dialogue, collaboration and mutual understanding.
She explained that bringing people from different backgrounds together provides an opportunity for communities to openly discuss their concerns, appreciate differing perspectives and collectively develop measures for preventing and managing conflicts.
The town hall meetings were held in Bodinga, Yabo, Tambuwal, Shagari, Wamakko, Dange Shuni, Gwadabawa, Kware, Sokoto North and Sokoto South Local Government Areas.
Participants identified several factors contributing to conflict and insecurity in their communities, including banditry, farmer-herder disputes, competition over scarce resources such as land and water, misunderstandings among residents and unemployment.
They also emphasised the importance of improving communication within communities and resolving disputes at an early stage before they escalate into violent conflicts.
Some participants commended the initiative, saying the quarterly engagements had improved their understanding of peacebuilding, natural resource management, conflict prevention and the importance of dialogue in resolving disputes.
They stressed that sustained engagement among community stakeholders was essential to building trust, strengthening peaceful coexistence and creating safer and more resilient communities across Sokoto State.
The organisers said the town hall meetings would continue to serve as a platform for communities to identify emerging challenges, strengthen local conflict-resolution mechanisms and promote peaceful coexistence.
The initiative highlights the importance of community-led approaches to addressing conflict, particularly in areas where competition over resources, unemployment and insecurity can heighten tensions.
