Stakeholders drawn from four local government areas in Katsina have resolved to adopt local conflict management strategies to promote peace and strengthen social cohesion in their respective communities.

The resolution was reached at the end of a four-day capacity-building workshop organised in Katsina, by Mercy Corps, for participants from Safana, Sabuwa, Faskari and Dandume LGAs.

The exercise was organised through the Conflict Prevention, Crisis Response and Resilience, a project funded by the European Union.

Ododa Blessing, a participant from Dandume, emphasised the importance of embracing dialogue and strengthening traditional conflict resolution mechanisms to address disputes at the grassroots level.

She stated that adopting locally driven approaches would help prevent escalation of conflicts, promote mutual understanding, and ensure sustainable peace within their communities.

Another participant from Safana, Garba Zakka, pledged to share the knowledge and skills acquired with local stakeholders, including traditional rulers, youth groups, women associations, and religious leaders, in order to broaden the impact of the initiative.

He highlighted the importance of community ownership in conflict management, stressing that empowering local actors would enhance early response and peaceful resolution of disputes before they escalate.

Also, Sabi’u Sani, a participant with special needs, expressed readiness and commitment to step down the training to other members of their communities.

He further urged other participants to apply the lessons learned and work collaboratively to foster unity and peaceful coexistence across their various communities.

The senior programme manager of Mercy Corps, Philip Ikita, said the initiative sought to promote long-term peace, stability and socio-economic recovery across conflict-affected communities in the region.

He said that the workshop on community-based dialogue/advocacy, and community-based action planning training aimed at equipping community actors with practical skills and knowledge on advocacy, conflict prevention, mediation, and peaceful resolution of disputes.

According to him, the CPCRR project is being implemented by the International Organisation for Migration, in partnership with Mercy Corps and the Centre for Democracy and Development.

Mr Ikita explained that the programme operates in 48 communities across Zamfara and Katsina, addressing the root causes of conflict, strengthening community resilience and supporting socio-economic recovery.

“The overall objective is to reinforce peace and socio-economic stability in North-West Nigeria through inclusive, locally driven and sustainable approaches,” he said.

The programme manager added that the project is being implemented in Batsari, Danmusa, Jibia, Kankara, Dandume, Faskari, Sabuwa and Safana LGAs.

(NAN)