NOV. 14,2016
Transitional justice proponent off impunity and purity has been a major stumbling block for the smooth and operative governance process in African states. The ineffectiveness and ill- execution of the justice system and rule of law has been a core facilitator to the many underpinned injustices of the violations of human rights.
Many countries transitional justice consists of judicial and non-judicial measures implemented in order to redress legacies of human rights abuses. Such measures include criminal prosecutions, truth commissions, reparations programs, and various kinds of institutional reforms. Transitional justice is enacted at a point of political transition from violence and repression to societal stability and it is informed by a society’s desire to rebuild social trust, repair a fractured justice system, and build a democratic system of governance.
In the circumstances that led to the truth-seeking process as part of the transition from military to civil democratic rule in Nigeria, the Human Rights Violations Investigation Commission, (the Oputa Panel) established by the government of President Olusegun Obasanjo shortly after his inauguration in 1999 custom the main transitional justice mechanism to recover the truth and obtain redress for victims of almost three decades of gross human rights violations committed by successive military regimes in the country.
The cohesive violence perpetrated by Boko Haram in northern Nigeria has been mostly, but not consistently, couched in socio-economic and religious terms and such explanations are well notified by attacks on human lives resonating crimes to humanity. Many youths are used by politicians to accomplish their selfish aims not knowing the implication it burdens to society.
Notably, youths are the access and trust of a nation’s natural resources, like wise they should engage in the formulation of re-inventing policies, solving problems and establish core objectives of taking responsibilities at both regional and national levels.
The vary youthful generation of Nigeria have engaged into rapid civil society campaigns, peaceful engagement on security and justice and the consistent advocacy for government to be able to end the crisis of extremist militants invading civilians of their rights to a just and peaceful nation. The preposition of our engagement is fixed about the cessation of attacks in regions by dissatisfied and disenfranchised citizens in the Federal Republic of Nigeria by hosting peace and reconciliation dialogues with respect to conflicting issues regardless the religion, political, economic, cultural or social background. The advocacy for democracy and peace is a central piece for our African Union, ECOWAS and the rest of the world to adapt in consonant with the responsibilities and applied rule of law.
Our Civil society in Nigeria has been vocal in response to the insecurity and insurgency. There is an abundance of activities to increase community engagement, social healing, and a culture of peace in Nigeria. Some of these formulas and campaigns to abdicate the saga are mentioned:
The Bring Back Our Girls Movement is a diverse group of citizens advocating for the search and rescue of the 200 girls abducted in April 2014 and for a rapid containment and quelling of insurgency in Nigeria.
The Voice and Accountability Platform organizes awareness campaigns and town hall meetings with emphasis on non-violence and the need to strengthen good governance and democracy.
A group of Nigerian organizations have petitioned the UN Security Council to adopt a resolution regarding the deteriorating humanitarian situations and mass atrocities committed by Boko Haram.
Empowering victims of terrorism is a critical component of countering violent extremism (CVE) programming and strategies. Not engaging with victims of violent extremism can leave communities vulnerable to recruitment, as victims are often seen as easy targets. Therefore, civil society have effectively engage with marginalized populations and build greater trust through community dialogue by working with youth who are disenfranchised.
The enactment of engaging with political leaders to hardness security measures and the implementation of CVE programs (skills and capacities building trainings to marginalized youth groups) which have reduced the involvement of young people into extremist military acts. Youth’s engagements with Judiciary, legislative and executive stakeholders to remain more focus and decisive in the use of lethal military forces, which are attached with disastrous responsibilities remain an essential tool for dialogue between terrorist and the government.
The challenges of democratization in transitional are many: government poor engagement without derailing democratic progress, the absence developing judicial or third-party fora capable of resolving conflicts, government lack reparations strategy, and lack of creating memories and developing educational curricula that redress cultural lacunae and unhealed trauma and inadequate funding to pressure groups such as NGOs, CBOs, and CSOs to enact and formulate programs that will include disenchanted young people to the decision making process of the state.
With the engagement thus far, there is a lesson that proved the power that youths possess in solving problems at all levels. This among others solutions validates that youth is keys to unlocking opportunities and restoring community trust for a more sustainable development in country.
This is real slash of the problem that needs to be solved in our Africa. Why we can not see the real and truth meaning of peace in Africa? This answer is with the young people.....
ReplyDeleteImpressive. ECOWAS Community will surely uplifts to the higher level of great achievements.
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