Conflicts/Crimes: Early Warning, Response Remains Vital Tool For Prevention – CISLAC, Stakeholders
By; KELVIN OKPARA, Enugu
Stakeholders at a Security Dialogue organized by a non governmental organisation, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center (CISLAC) have declared that Early Warning and Early Response System (EWERS) remain a vital tool for prevention of conflicts and crimes within the spectrum of actions for the prevention, management and mitigation of conflicts, crimes and hazards.
The participants, drawn from traditional institutions, media organisations, civil society groups, security agencies, among others, made the observation in a Communique issued weekend at the end of the dialogue which CISLAC organised in collaboration with Transparency International in Nigeria with support from Open Society Foundation (OSF-Africa) held in Enugu.
Our correspondent reports that the communique noted that while security is a fundamental pre-occupation of every entity (individual, group, community, organisation and state), human security remains paramount to protect the vital core of all human lives in ways that enhance human freedom and fulfilment.
They further observed that since 2013, South East region has witnessed rising insecurity incidence, exacerbated by attacks, armed clashes, mob violence, abduction, violence demonstration, looting and property destruction, sexual violence; and this also owing to the activities of unknown gunmen, IPOB, communal militia, pastoralists, political parties, Ebube Agu, cultists, MASSOB
“Between 2015 and 2023, the South East region recorded over 166 deaths related to environmental hazards, the second highest in the country with over 1 million people displaced (the highest in the country).
“Community Early Warning and Early Response system provides support to existing organizations and individuals advancing peace; builds capacity of community members to address or minimise tensions.
“It equally assists planning and supportive arrangements for community security; alerts decision-makers and other relevant stakeholders; prevent violence before it starts; and minimise the effect of conflict on civilians.”
Also “Community Early Warning and Early Response Systems is necessitated by the need to for community to work together as a team to take actions that can help reduce harm or loss from a threat.
“Efficient workability of Community Early Warning and Early Response systems is hampered by poor resourcing of human expertise and material; mistrust state and non-state actors; unclear and inaccurate information; lack of Information and Communication technology; political interference and vested interests; and gender bias” it stated.
The participants therefore, recommended in the communique which was signed by the Executive Director of CISLAC, Auwal Ibrahim Musa Rafsanjani, and some participants for establishment of a Community-Early Warning Early Response System that will enhance human security through timely detection and response to situations that could lead to violent conflicts, serious crime or major hazards.
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