Roles Of Traditional Institution In Mitigating Herders-Farmers Conflict In Nig

Roles Of Traditional Institution In Mitigating Herders-Farmers Conflict In Nig

Traditional institutions in Nigeria have been playing key roles in conflict resolution in their domains dating back to the pre-colonial period.

Before the advent of colonialism, most traditional societies in Africa were administered by traditional rulers who engaged in mitigating conflicts through peace-keeping mechanism in most societies in addition to their traditional roles.

They mediated between the people and the state, enhanced national identity, resolved minor conflicts and provided an institutional safety-valve for often inadequate state bureaucracies.

No wonder the colonial administration depended much on them for administrative convenience.

In Nigeria for instance, traditional rulers were instrumental to the success of indirect rule in northern Nigeria and Yorubaland.

Recognizing their importance in the post-independent era, the roles of traditional rulers were defined in the constitution.

However, the 1979 and 1999 constitutions did not provide a clear-cut role for them in the modern political institution and this has invariably reduced the roles of the traditional rulers.

In recent years, conflict between herders and farmers in the north-central over grazing land, and water, has intensified and spread southward, posing a threat to the country’s security and stability.

The incessant clashes between herdsmen and crop farmers have a drastic effect on food security and have caused a colossal loss to the nation.

Studies have also shown that it has also negatively impacted on the country’s economy losing an average of 47% of taxes through Internally Generated Revenue.

At present, the livelihoods of households in the regions, which are intertwined with agriculture, have been adversely impacted by the conflict.

Unfortunately, violent conflicts between herdsmen and farmers in the country have also led to the loss of lives and property in addition to disruption of socio-economic activities and livelihoods as whole communities have been sacked in some cases.

According to the International Crisis Group, with an estimated death toll of about 1,868 and displacement of over 300,000 people in 2020 alone, these clashes now claim roughly six times the number of civilian lives as the Boko Haram insurgency in north-east Nigeria rages.

The result is a deepening humanitarian crisis resulting in several Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, and refugee camps.

Another implication is the emergence of various militia groups as a result of communities creating self-defense forces and ethnic militias, which have further worsened the security landscape with the proliferation of small arms and Light weapons, raising the question of solutions to the conflict.

As part of efforts to resolve the conflict, both the federal and state governments have created different avenues to resolve it.

Despite these efforts, conflict continues unabated and this has raised the question of the roles of traditional institutions, which are the closest to the people.

In a recent study which took place in Benue, Nasarawa and Plateau States which are the epicenters of herder-farmer conflict in Nigeria with thirty-nine, stakeholders comprising farmers under the aegis of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, AFAN, herders under the umbrella association of, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, MACBAN, Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, it was agreed that traditional rulers have the power to resolve conflicts through dialogue with communities and warring parties.

However, lack of financial support from Local and State authorities, threats to life from warring communities, Illiteracy and ignorance of the subjects, lack of mobility, absence of funding, and formation of ethnic militias by different ethnic groups continue to pose a challenge to efforts by traditional institutions to mediate and resolve conflicts effectively.

To empower traditional institutions for more effectiveness, there is the urgent need for amendment of the constitution to stipulate specific roles for traditional rulers in conflict resolution and management, financial support, provision of vehicles to ease mobility, and training to equip them with skills in effective conflict resolution.

By Angela Ajodo-Adebanjoko, Edited By Grace Namiji