February 7, 2025
Vunoklang, Hayin Gada, Off Mubi Road, jimeta - Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria
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Conflict Specialists Advocate use of conflict analysis tools in mitigating and transforming conflicts globally.


By: Aisha Mohammed

 

Ethno-religious crises and competition for natural resources have long been the root causes of conflict in Northern Nigeria, leading to food scarcity, fear, and loss of lives and property, among other devastating effects.

In the North-Eastern region, the farmer-herder conflict, one of the major sources of unrest, has been significantly reduced through the Search for Common Ground COMITAS project, in collaboration with the media and key stakeholders.


Conflict specialists at Search for Common Ground attributed the success of conflict resolution to the use of conflict analysis tools, which include identifying key actors, mapping relationships, and analyzing conflict dynamics.

Explaining the conflict analysis tools used by the COMITAS project, State Training and Project Coordinator, Dubi Sonam emphasized that media practitioners must be mindful of the sensitivity of conflict situations and explore strategies for addressing and reporting these conflicts.

Sonam urged journalists to always adhere to ethical standards, especially the Do No Harm principle, when reporting conflict-sensitive stories.

Head of Training and Implementation for the COMITAS project, Godwin Okoko, and Media Coordinator, Victor Baba, commended the media’s critical role in peace building.

They highlighted the importance of training media practitioners in conflict-sensitive reporting techniques, promoting ethical storytelling, and applying the common ground approach.

The Early Warning, Early Response, EWER, Coordinator, Solomon Adejo, and Media Assistant, Frederick Aduga, explained that the COMITAS project methodology is rooted in early warning and timely responses to ensure accurate and effective dissemination of information in order to prevent and mitigate crises.

They also urged journalists to prioritize their safety, especially when covering conflict situations.

COMITAS Project Manager, Gambo Wada expressed delight over the level of commitment shown by the participants and encouraged them to utilize knowledge acquired in sustaining the gains of the project to foster peaceful coexistence in the society.

Participants at the three-day training organized by Search for Common Ground, who were drawn from the print and broadcast media as well as Search for Common Ground fellows, pledged to consolidate on the achievements of the COMITAS project in fostering peace in Adamawa and Taraba States.

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