The 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has expressed willingness and determination to put an end to the Fulani crisis that has been causing calamity in the nation for years. Speaking at his palace when he received the leadership of Tapital Pulaku Njode Jam Nigeria, a Fulani group, the Emir stated emphasized the importance of finding a long-term solution to the Fulani crisis facing the nation. He pointed out that his determination and concept to end the crisis can only be actualized with government support.
Sanusi said undoubtedly, the Fulani people have been subjected to severe attacks, exclusion, slaughter, destruction, and the rustling of their cows. These acts of denial have spread across the nation, and action must be taken to reverse the current state of affairs. He also noted that there are some malicious individuals among the Fulani’s who have degraded the people’s reputations and brought them to their current state of suffering. Now is the perfect moment to join hands with the government to find a long-term solution to the problems, particularly the ones involving them and the farmers as well as any other suspected areas.
Fulani group convey their allegiance to the Emir.
On his part, Madibo Jada, the leader of the Fulani group, stated that the purpose of their visit to the palace is to convey their allegiance to the Emir, who was long ago chosen by the Lamido of Adamawa. According to him, the group believed Emir Sanusi had what it took to clear their tainted reputations, make the truth about who they are, and highlight their contributions to the nation’s socioeconomic advancement. The Fulani issue in Nigeria, often known as the “farmer-herder conflict,” is centered on conflicts that occur between established farmers and herders who are primarily Fulani in different parts of the nation.
Currently, the situation has gotten worse, resulting in a large number of fatalities, property damage, and community upheaval. A complex interplay of historical, social, economic, and environmental forces fuels it. The situation has turned into a divisive political issue and exert pressure on the Nigerian government to identify resolution. It has caused political conflict and, in certain situations, fueled local and regional complaints against the federal government by sparking discussions on national security, governance, and the rights of various ethnic groups.
Successive administrations have tried mediation.
Over the years, the Nigerian government has responded to the Fulani conflict with a variety of policies, initiatives, and Security measures. Nevertheless, a large number of these actions have been contentious or ineffectual, failing to address the underlying roots of the dispute. Successive administrations have tried to engage in communication and mediation. For instance, under President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration (2010–2015), the government hosted discussions with farmers, herders, and community leaders to promote peace. Similarly, President Muhammadu Buhari carried out similar programs, attempting to involve stakeholders via dialogue, town hall meetings, and Peace committees.
Numerous reasons, including lack of trust between the parties, agreements not being followed through on, and a lack of dedication from both federal and state authorities, have contributed to the poor effectiveness of these efforts. A lot of peacebuilding efforts have been clumsily formed and lack long-term financial and support. Achieving enduring peace has been made more challenging by the politicization of the conflict and the engagement of criminal groups. The issue has persisted for a long time due to insufficient policy frameworks, poor governance, and weak land use regulations.
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Although a number of prior discussion initiatives have aided in reducing tensions in certain regions and encouraged short-term peace accords, they have not been sufficiently regular or extensive to have a long-lasting effect. A comprehensive strategy addressing the root causes of the crisis, such as resource management, land tenure reform, climate adaptation, and inclusive governance, as well as the current security threats, will be necessary to fully resolve it. In the absence of this, the country may continue to witness more violence, societal division, and instability in Nigeria.