The Borno State Government, in partnership with Green Advocacy for Conflict Prevention & Resilience Building (GACRB) and the Africa Transitional Justice Legacy Fund (ATJLF), unveiled a Transitional Justice (TJ) and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) manual titled “Sulhu Sai Da Adalci – Reconciliation Requires Justice” on Thursday, November 28, 2024, at City Star Hotel, Maiduguri.
The initiative, housed within the Ministry of Information and Internal Security and guided by the Office of the Deputy Governor, is part of the broader “Borno Model for Peace, Reconciliation, and Development.
“This model provides a comprehensive framework for the reintegration of repentant Boko Haram insurgents while addressing the needs of victims and communities affected by the conflict.
The TJ/ADR framework emphasizes grassroots reconciliation and mediation. Traditional rulers, religious leaders, and local influencers are central to its operation, facilitating dialogue and conflict resolution in their communities.
During the launch, Prof. Mala Mustapha, Executive Director of GACRB, described the initiative as part of a two-year transformative program to promote transitional justice in Nigeria’s Northeast.
“The program seeks to empower victims of Boko Haram atrocities while fostering reconciliation and social cohesion,” he stated. Prof. Mustapha also commended Governor Babagana Umara Zulum for his commitment to implementing the globally acclaimed Borno Model.
As part of the initiative, GACRB signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Maiduguri’s Centre for Peace, Development, and Diplomatic Studies (CPDDS) on September 9, 2024.
The partnership aims to train 60 community stakeholders from Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe States using the newly developed manual. Additionally, the Borno State Government supported over 20 candidates to enroll in the University’s Master’s program in Transitional Justice.
The program includes a six-month certification course on transitional justice, utilizing a “Training of Trainers” approach. Graduates will lead step-down training in nine communities across the three states to rebuild trust and promote dialogue.
Speaking at the event, the Honourable Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Prof. Usman Tar, represented by the Special Adviser on Security, Gen. Abdullahi Ishaq (rtd), highlighted the project’s alignment with the Borno Model and the Disarmament, Demobilization, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration (DDRR) program for ex-Boko Haram fighters.
“This collaboration addresses community resistance to reintegration, equips youth with alternative narratives to counter radicalization, and establishes a framework for transitional justice,” he stated.
The project is expected to enhance local-level dialogue, promote community ownership of transitional justice processes, and create a sustainable framework for peacebuilding across Borno and the Northeast region.
Key stakeholders at the event included Alhaji Shettima Ali Marte, Executive Secretary of the Security Trust Fund; Barr. Jummai Mshelia, State Coordinator of the National Human Rights Commission; Prof. Adam Ajiri of the University of Maiduguri; and Hajiya Fatima Audu Yusuf, General Manager of Peace FM Radio, among others.
