Building Peace from Within: Empowering Communities to Resolve Conflicts and Foster Stability

UNDP, through the PBF (Peace Building Fund) project, has strengthened local infrastructure and the capacity of community leaders to identify early warning signs and offer the right approach in resolving it at the local level.

September 25, 2024

a bunch of items that are sitting in a room — Rabiu Suleiman (middle), the District Head of Kachia town in Kaduna State, also known as the Hakimi, has been a pillar of peace in his community

Photo Credit: UNDP Nigeria/Taibat Ajiboye

Identifying early signs of conflict and responding with the right mechanisms and approaches is key to mitigating and preventing conflicts that impact communities and societies. This proactive approach preserves livelihoods, prevents the displacement of families, and reduces the risk of violence and social instability. By addressing conflicts early, we can foster resilience, promote peaceful coexistence, and safeguard the overall well-being of affected populations.

In line with this, peacebuilding efforts by the United Nations Development Programme are focused on transforming beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors with the aim of reshaping dynamics between individuals and groups, ultimately leading to a more stable and peaceful coexistence.

This approach has not only reduced mini conflict but has fostered and strengthened community trust in the traditional court system. In Katsina and Kaduna State, through the implementation of the Peacebuilding Fund Project, UNDP has worked to strengthen government infrastructures. This initiative aims to ensure peace and stability across communities, bringing them closer to the justice system.

a man wearing a hat — Rabiu Suleiman, the District Head of Kachia town in Kaduna State

Rabiu Suleiman, the District Head of Kachia town in Kaduna State, also known as the Hakimi, has been a pillar of peace in his community, serving as a mediator for over 41 years. He explained that his role as a mediator is deeply rooted in the region’s traditional leadership structure, which places significant responsibility on village and community heads to maintain peace and resolve disputes. However, he noted that limitations in peace structures, as well as technical and financial capacities, have hindered effective conflict resolution and dialogue facilitation.

“As the Hakimi of this community, I have always been in a position where I needed to address issues daily. Since 1983, I have handled over 500 cases, but it can become tiring and exhausting. Before the PBF project, most cases involved men, with women either not being properly sensitized or feeling too scared to bring their cases to us. But with UNDP’s intervention, we have seen a significant increase in the number of women coming forward, thanks to the provision of infrastructure, tools, and resources,” said Rabiu.

UNDP has provided essential infrastructure and built local community members' capacity to become mediators. Further, Community Conflict Dispute Resolution Centers have been established across various communities to handle conflicts.

The success of insider community mediators is exemplified by Muhammed and Yashi, who had been in a land dispute for over three years. Muhammed shared, “Our situation had been tense, and neither of us was willing to compromise. When it was brought to Hakimi’s attention, we were invited to his house, and within an hour, the matter was settled amicably. Both Yashi and I are satisfied with the outcome.”

Through this program, UNDP has brought the community closer to the justice system by reducing minor conflicts and encouraging peaceful dispute resolution through mediation, arbitration, and negotiation. This has, in turn, helped ease the burden on traditional courts.