Sahel Region: Experts Advocate Synergy, Funding To Tackle Insecurity

Towards mitigating the spate of insecurity in Nigeria and other countries in the Sahel region, Security experts, activists, CSOs and some media representatives have identified collaboration, good governance, proper funding, and education as vital.

These experts also stressed the need for government at all levels in the region to make the people feel their presence by protecting them, providing their basic needs, ensure food security, uphold justice, fairness and close inequality gaps to avoid feelings of alienation and disillusion.

They were of the opinion that where hunger, starvation, hopelessness, corruption, imbalance, unemployment, survival of the fittest and injustices thrive, agitations become the order of the day, which may further pose security threats.

These keypoints were extensively discussed at a public debate organised by the West Africa Democracy Radio, WADR, in collaboration with Open Society Initiative For West Africa, OSIWA, tagged “Security in the Sahel: Effects, challenges, strategies, and the way forward” .

The Founder, Executive Director Rule of Law and Empowerment Initiative, Mrs. Kemi Okenyodo while commenting on the 25 years of unbroken democracy, identified the undemocratic nature of Nigeria’s political parties, as well as the Sahel Region as a setback that should be addressed.

Okenyodo challenged Civil Society Organizations, CSOs in the Sahel region that prioritizes personal gains above national interest, to rise up, and be the ‘voice of the voiceless’ that they were known for in the past, to sustain the gains of democracy.

She also recommended national conversations and dialogue on sectoral issues to get the views of the people, especially those at the grassroots with a view to carrying everyone along to avoid initiating unfriendly policies or legitimizing issues that ought not to be.

In a paper presentation titled: “The Current Security Situation in the Sahel: The Nigerian Perspective” Geopolitics Series Convener, Nigeria, Senator Ireogbu, explained that inter- regional collaboration was key in promoting inclusive dialogue and good neighbourliness.

Ireogbu who noted that whatever affects a State, either in the area of social peace or ecological factor, could significantly affect other States in the region, warned that it is dangerous for any State to be surrounded with violence.

He therefore tasked Nigeria to be vigilant about what is going on in Sudan, especially in connection to the flow of light Arms going into the region.

“Once development is not universal, it creates alienation, and once there is alienation, people agitate,” Ireogbu said.

In another paper presentation, the Country Director Equal Access International, Nigeria, Dr Maji Peterx, who spoke on the Modus Operandi of Non – State Armed Groups in the Sahel,
said they often take advantage of areas with less government presence (ungoverned spaces), instigate seige, fear, and exact influence on both the social and political structure of the area.

He attributed the increasing spate of kidnappings and violence extrimism to a failed system that has allowed non – state armed groups to conquer territories to getting what they want through the power of the trigger.

Dr Maji Peterx urged Nigeria to as a matter of urgency address proliferation of light arms and violence extrimism to prevent lawlessness and future doom.

According to him, the majority of armed robbers have graduated into kiddnappings for quick gains. He called on security/ financial crime agencies to synergize and live up to their responsibilities to end the menace in the Sahel region

“Those who are used to the power of the trigger to get what they want, will find it difficult to lay down their arms” Dr Maji noted.

Also, a former Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Ojukwu, appealed to those in leadership positions to provide jobs, “If people are jobless they can go to any length to cause trouble because they don’t have anything doing”.

The Executive Director, CLEEN Foundation Nigeria, Mr Gad Shamaki Peters, Mr Serigne Mamadou Ka of ECOWAS Commission, and others that contributed in the debate called for the improvement of quality of life, and maintained that the Sahel region needed to build stronger community resilience and inter- state synergy to win the battle against insecurity in the region.

Earlier in her welcome address, Manager of the West Africa Democratic Radio, Agnes John – Thomasi raised concerns on the seemingly absence of qualitative objective narratives in the Sahel region, and emphasised the need for quality information sharing, with a view to empowering the citizens with the right knowledge.

Remi Johnson, Edited By Grace Namiji