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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Conflict & Security

Military moves to engage veterans in tackling rising violent conflicts

From The Punch · (4m ago) English Positive tone

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • The Nigerian military is engaging retired personnel to help address rising violent conflicts through mediation and peacebuilding.
  • A training program in Abuja equips veterans with modern skills in mediation, negotiation, and conflict resolution, emphasizing non-kinetic approaches.
  • This initiative aims to leverage veterans' experience and credibility for early intervention, dialogue, and community-based conflict prevention, complementing existing security structures.

Recognizing the complex and evolving nature of security challenges in Nigeria, the military is strategically shifting towards a more comprehensive approach that includes leveraging the invaluable experience of its retired personnel. The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has unveiled plans to formally integrate veterans into efforts to tackle rising violent conflicts across the nation, focusing on mediation, conflict resolution, and community-based peacebuilding.

This initiative reflects the understanding that sustainable security requires both kinetic and non-kinetic responses.

— Gen. Olufemi OluyedeChief of Defence Staff, explaining the strategic shift in security approaches.

A key component of this strategy is the ongoing mediation and conflict resolution skills training for veterans in Abuja. Organized by the Retired Members of the Nigerian Armed Forces in collaboration with the Mediation Training Institute and Defence Headquarters, this training equips these seasoned individuals with contemporary skills essential for navigating today's intricate disputes. The emphasis is on non-kinetic approaches, acknowledging that lasting peace cannot be achieved through military operations alone but requires dialogue, early intervention, and structured mediation.

Veterans possess the experience, discipline, and credibility needed to intervene in community disputes and help prevent violence before it escalates.

— Gen. Olufemi OluyedeChief of Defence Staff, highlighting the unique qualifications of retired military personnel.

Veterans are seen as uniquely positioned to contribute due to their inherent discipline, experience, and credibility within communities. They understand the profound cost of conflict and can effectively promote dialogue and reconciliation at the grassroots level. This initiative not only strengthens early warning systems and improves information flow from communities to security agencies but also reinforces the military's commitment to preventive security strategies, addressing conflicts at their root and reducing pressure on frontline troops.

They understand the cost of conflict and are uniquely positioned to promote dialogue, restraint, and reconciliation at the grassroots level.

— Gen. Olufemi OluyedeChief of Defence Staff, emphasizing the role of veterans in community peacebuilding.
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Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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