Influence of Interfaith Mediation Centre in the Management of Conflict in Bauchi State Nigeria: 1960-2015
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Date
2020-06
Authors
Saleh, Musa
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Conflict among social groups is one of the major challenges affecting peaceful
coexistence in the world. In Africa, particularly Nigeria, conflicts are associated
with religion, ethnicity, and post-election violence which result in adverse effects on
people and their livelihood. Nigeria has witnessed conflicts like Kaduna crisis, Jos
crisis, and Bauchi State crisis. Bauchi State has experienced conflicts between
herdsmen and farmers as compared to other states in Nigeria. The prevalence of
conflict in Bauchi State has caused a public outcry. The conflicts have disrupted the
local economy in general and agricultural production in particular. The resultant
effects are high rate of crime, hunger, poverty and corruption among other
sufferings. Therefore, these crises have adversely affected human security and
economic development in Bauchi State. In line with that, this study investigated the
influence of the Interfaith Mediation Centre in the management of conflict in Bauchi
State, Nigeria with specific focus on the factors that led to the establishment of IMC,
the activities of IMC in Management of conflict between herdsmen and farmers, and
the role of IMC in post electoral conflict management in Bauchi State, Nigeria. The
study was guided by the peace building theory by John Paul Lederach. Lederach
argues that conflict societies are divided into three levels of actors: the top level,
middle level and grass root level of leaderships. He assumed that it is the middle
level of actors that influences the other actors in promoting or mediating peace
within the conflict zone. This study adopted a descriptive research design based on
semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. The researcher used
purposive sampling technique to select the respondents from the Interfaith
Mediation Centre, Christians Muslims Peace Movement officials operating in
Bauchi, stakeholders, community leaders, Imams and Church leaders. Both primary
and secondary sources of data were used to extract data. The data obtained from the
field was subjected to thematic content analysis through interpretation and
transcription in line with the objectives of the study. The study findings revealed that
the Interfaith Mediation Centre has demonstrated its readiness towards fostering
mediation, reconciliation and dialogue between community members of different
faiths in Bauchi State, Nigeria. The findings also indicated that the Interfaith
Mediation Centre promotes voter‟s sensitisation as well as media involvement
towards managing electoral violence. The study is important as it enriches the
historiography of conflict management not only in Bauchi State but also in other
states across Nigeria and beyond. Therefore, the study concluded that interfaith
mediation centre has been effective in mitigating Violence conflict in Bauchi State.
Thus, the study recommends that interfaith mediation centre should be strengthened
financially to carry out its functions hitch-free; report on dialogue should be utilized.
Description
A Thesis Submitted in Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Masters’ of Arts (Political Science) in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Kenyatta University. June, 2020
Keywords
Interfaith Mediation Centre, Management, Conflict, Bauchi State, Nigeria, 1960-2015