By Victoria Onyisi
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)/Transparency International in Nigeria (Ti-Nigeria) in collaboration with the Open Society Foundation Africa (Osf-Africa) have advocated for the emplacement of Community Observers and Response Networks through early warning and early response as mitigation against security threat.
In a dialogue organized in Enugu, Enugu State which is aimed at strengthening local participation and expanded community-based revealed that early warning and early response network and system at the community can be deployed to prevent security threat.
The workshop attracted traditional Rulers, Community Observers, members of the Community Response Networks, Security Actors, Civil Society and Local Government officials, to analyse early warning information and coordinate response efforts.
The Executive Director, CISLAC, Mr. Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), in his opening remark, said the dialogue had a technical session with presentation titled: “Human Security Threat in Nigeria’s South East and the Imperative of community early warning and early response system.” by Prof. Freedom Onuoha.
The dialogue which was attended by 20 participants on various thematic issues, the following observations and recommendations were made with the these observations: As human security threats impact on people’s lives and livelihoods, disrupted socio-communal life, and deepened public distrust of state institutions, Early Warning and Early Response Systems (EWERS) remain an important tool within the spectrum of actions for the prevention, management and mitigation of conflicts, crimes and hazards.
It added that security is a fundamental pre-occupation of every entity (individual, group, community, organisation and state), Human Security is paramount to protect the vital core of all human lives in ways that enhance human freedoms and human fulfilment.
The communique said: “Since 2013, South-east region has witnessed rising security incidence, exacerbated by attacks, armed clashes, mob violence, abduction, violence demonstration, looting and property destruction, sexual violence; and owing to the activities of unknown gunmen, IPOB, communal militia, pastoralists, political parties, Ebube Agu, cultists, MASSOB.
“Between 2015 and 2023, the South East region recorded over 166 deaths related to environmental hazards, the second highest in the country with over 1 million people displaced (the highest in the country).
“Community early warning and early response system provides support to existing organizations and individuals advancing peace; builds capacity of community members to address or minimise tensions; assists planning and supportive arrangements for community security; alerts decision-makers and other relevant stakeholders; prevent violence before it starts; and minimise the effect of conflict on civilians.
“Community EWRS is necessitated by the need to for community to work together as a team to take actions that can help reduce harm or loss from a threat.
“Efficient workability of community EWRS is hampered by poor resourcing of human expertise and material; mistrust state and non-state actors; unclear and inaccurate information; lack of Information and Communication technology; political interference and vested interests; and gender bias.”
The participants also acknowledged that building a Community-Early Warning Early Response System that enhances human security through timely detection and response to situations that could lead to violent conflicts, serious crime or major hazards, adding that formation of Community Early Warning and Early Response Systems to activate adequate response to specific threats, set up efficient structure, coordinate information gathering, facilitate evidence-based response, trigger decision making towards early response.
The communique reads: “Building a robust database to facilitate information provision on Community Early Warning and Early Response systems to store and present pertinent details about the nature, characteristics, causes and trend of the factor of interest.
“Developing a strong analytical skill on early warning and early response to assess situations rationally, create effective plans, and overcome obstacles.
“Gender mainstreaming in early warning and early response system for inclusive participation and information provision that enhance efficient functionality of Community response systems and structures.
“Encouraging community-media working relationship to amplify reporting on threat signals for appropriate policy actions.”
It added that active participation in community security architecture through synergy building and adequate support for efficient working relationship among men, youth, women, local leaders, CBOs, state and non-state actors, as well as international organisations/bodies.
