The Federal Government has said it is moving to strengthen Nigeria’s conflict prevention framework by improving early warning and response systems in the face of persistent security challenges across the country and the wider African region.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, made this known in Abuja on Wednesday at an engagement session focused on strengthening and building the capacity of the National Early Warning Response Group. He was represented at the event by the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa.
Tuggar said the engagement was organised by the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution in collaboration with the Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria project, which is supported by the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. According to him, the partnership is aimed at enhancing collaboration among stakeholders and building a more effective Early Warning and Early Response system.
He noted that violent conflict and insecurity continue to pose serious challenges globally, including political instability, banditry, terrorism, violent extremism and transnational organised crime. Tuggar added that climate change and the proliferation of small arms and light weapons have further worsened insecurity, particularly in the Sahel region.
The minister stressed the need for a comprehensive and data-driven early warning and response framework to effectively address peace and security threats. He said Nigeria’s approach to tackling insecurity is guided by the current administration’s 4-D Foreign Policy Doctrine, which prioritises development, diaspora engagement, demography and democratic consolidation.
Tuggar also highlighted Nigeria’s role in addressing political instability in neighbouring countries as part of its regional security responsibilities, noting that the country has continued to evolve strategic responses to threats to peace and stability within Africa.
According to him, the engagement session was designed to improve coordination, early warning reporting and response mechanisms among institutions involved in peace and security efforts. He said participants drawn from various agencies would contribute to strengthening the National Conflict Early Warning and Early Response System coordinated by the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution.
Nigeria has in recent years faced complex and overlapping security challenges, including insurgency in the North-East, banditry in the North-West, farmer-herder clashes, separatist agitations and communal conflicts in other parts of the country. These issues have led to loss of lives, displacement of communities and disruptions to governance and socio-economic development.
Similar threats driven by political instability, porous borders and the spread of small arms continue to undermine peace and stability across West Africa and the Sahel region.
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