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Emergency Trust Fund for Africa
News article22 October 2019

In northeastern Nigeria, a strengthened traditional justice system enhances stability and lowers the risk of conflicts

In northeastern Nigeria, a strengthened traditional justice system enhances stability and lowers the risk of conflicts
British Council

The Managing Conflict in Nigeria (MCN) Programme is working to strengthen the dispute resolution capacity of traditional rulers. The initiative helps raise public confidence in the system of traditional justice in northeastern Nigeria.

Traditional rulers participate in a series of workshops on alternative dispute resolution, mediation, conflict management, record management, civil and Sharia/customary law, human rights law and family law. The workshops bring together traditional rulers and stakeholders from the justice and security sectors, enhancing collaboration in dispute resolution and justice administration between traditional rulers, security agencies, magistrates and civilian professionals. It also provides an opportunity to discuss issues affecting collaboration and to jointly identify solutions to address them.

As at July 2019, 2,111 traditional rulers from 12 emirates in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states have already received training from the program. A new record keeping system (Sulhu Scribe) has been introduced and has already registered 3,809 cases, 3,246 (85%) of which have been successfully resolved.

Positive training results are also shown by the fact that in an increasing number of cases (5% of all cases received) traditional rulers referred the disputes to the courts and to other responsible agencies for resolution. Data collection has been made possible by reinforcing the ability of emirates and chiefdoms to develop and maintain record keeping centres. Traditional authorities are now able to collect information on the number and category of disputes resolved and undertake measures to systematically address recurrent sources of conflict.

In northeastern Nigeria, a strengthened traditional justice system enhances stability and lowers the risk of conflicts
British Council

So far, 1.626 clerks have been trained to provide support service to the centres and to keep records of the disputes resolved by traditional rulers. The programme demonstrates and reaffirms the importance of the role traditional rulers continue to play in maintaining security and stability in their communities.

Funded by the EU under the EUTF, Managing Conflict in Nigeria (MCN) Programme aims to support Nigerians with conflict resolution, at both the state and community level. Work mainly takes place in northeastern Nigeria: Yobe, Borno and Adamawa states, and focus on i/ conflict management, reconciliation and stability in communities; ii/ the role of women in peace-building; iii/ supporting women and girls affected by violence; iv/ the reintegration of young people displaced by conflict and v/research to support policy makers.

Details

Publication date
22 October 2019
Region and Country
Nigeria
Thematic
Improved governance and conflict prevention
Partner
British Council

Programmes in the region