The Digest:
Farmers and herders from six rural communities across Bokkos and Riyom Local Government Areas of Plateau State have signed 25 peace agreements aimed at ending years of recurrent deadly conflict. The accords were reached following dialogue and reconciliation sessions facilitated by the Institute for Integrated Transitions (IFIT), involving men and women from Sha, Bum, and Sopp communities. Participants described the process as timely and critical, with community leaders committing to reinforcing the peace through churches and mosques. A senior district head expressed confidence that the agreements would be implemented, while another participant stated the initiative would help resolve lingering issues peacefully. The accords seek to restore stability and rebuild trust in these long-fragile, conflict-affected areas.
Key Points:
- Sustained peace would save lives, protect livelihoods, and allow displaced families to return to their homes and farms.
- Stability in these agrarian communities is essential for local food production and economic activity in the region.
- Farmers and herders alike stand to gain from secure access to land and grazing routes, ending cycles of retaliation.
- The community-led, grassroots approach signals a shift from top-down security responses to local conflict resolution mechanisms.
- The timing reflects growing exhaustion with violence and a genuine window for reconciliation after years of devastating losses.
The durability of these pacts will depend on consistent community ownership, monitoring, and swift resolution of any emerging grievances.
Sources: Channels Television, IFIT
