An NGO, Global Peace Foundation, has said that understanding humanity’s shared identity and common aspirations was key to ending the protracted violence that had enveloped southern Kaduna.
“The people and the stakeholders must see themselves as members of one human family; that should be our guiding principle as we strive toward ending the killings,” its Country Director, John Oko, said in Kachia on Wednesday.
Oko spoke at a meeting with the natives of the southern Kaduna communities. The Director, who said that the NGO had met with the Fulani herdsmen two weeks earlier, promised to bring the two groups together for a direct parley toward peace.
“We shall initiate a dialogue so that the warring parties will talk with each other toward forging a common understanding. We need that common ground,” he said.
He emphasised the need for more mediation, and stressed the NGO’s commitment to uprooting the causes of violence.
“The crisis of southern Kaduna is a complex situation that requires every one’s effort; we must all be committed to that,” he said.
Also speaking, the Northern Co-ordinator of the NGO, Haliru Maraya, said that the outfit had arranged three series of meeting.
“We have met with the Fulani herdsmen and we are currently meeting with the natives. The next stage is to meet with all parties,” he said.
Also speaking, Joseph Hayap, another Co-ordinator, noted that both parties wanted peace.
“Everyone is fed up; everyone is tired of the violence. Everyone wants peace,” he said.
He said that the NGO was concerned with meaningful dialogue that would promote mutual trust and confidence.
“As people, we need to talk and rub minds; we need to examine the way forward,” he said.
