Support female survivors of Boko Haram in Nigeria

Dear Supporter,

On 21 September, International Alert celebrated International Peace Day with the communities we work in and with the international peacebuilding community.

In Nigeria, we marked the event by hosting celebrations of peace and reconciliation across our project sites under the theme “Recovering better for an equitable and sustainable world”. The celebrations were attended by project participants as well as community leaders and political figures who remarked on the importance of peacebuilding. Audiences were treated to theatrical performances, cultural dances and debates that reinforced messages of peace and cooperation.

In Yobe State, northeast Nigeria, International Alert was able to mediate a dialogue meeting between two conflicting ethnic groups (Fika and Potiskum) that have a long-standing rivalry. The two groups live in close proximity (2km apart) and experience high levels of competition and tension. Social interactions between the ethnic groups such as trade, business deals and inter-marriage are heavily discouraged and tensions have often flared into violence. Legal disputes have also been escalated to the Nigerian Court where they are currently being deliberated.

Utilising the momentum of the event, International Alert invited the heads of the two councils to join the Peace Day celebrations. Through an engaging dialogue process, both parties were able to see the rivalry from a new perspective and committed to resolving the conflicts between them. The two leaders embraced each other and ate from the same plate as a symbol of reconciliation.

The team will continue to advocate for peaceful resolution to conflicts between the parties and will closely monitor the situation as it develops.

Thank you for your continued support in these difficult times. With your help, peacebuilding interventions in Nigeria can continue to support the communities who need it most.

Yours in peace,

Ollie James