Ms. Nderitu furthermore underlined concern for growing trends of hate conversation along identity lines, and incitement to discrimination, hatred or violence that spreads throughout political discourse in the country. “Continuous high levels of violence focusing on communities in relation to transhumance, including with hate speech plus incitement to violence, are usually particularly concerning in view associated with upcoming elections in many nations in the region, ” she stated.
Risk of further tensions
Alice Nderitu expressed her strongest condemnation for the 24 January airstrike in which at least 40 herders, mainly ethnic Fulani, were killed, and scores of additional civilians were injured. She called for all political leaders to abide by the peace accord they authorized that includes commitment to peaceful campaigns. “In this extremely volatile atmosphere, it is important that the general polls scheduled to be held on 25 February 2023 usually do not trigger violence and even atrocity crimes. ” she cautioned.
Warning ahead of elections
The event occurred in a village on the border of two claims, Nasarawa and Benue. She recalled that another airstrike in 2017, resulted in 54 civilian casualties at a camping for displaced persons within Borno State. The Special Adviser said the worsening security situation within Nigeria is characterized by the particular politicization of transhumance, the particular seasonal movement of livestock for grazing, and improving divisions among communities, including based on stigmatization along religious and ethnic lines. Over and above Nigeria, Ms. Nderitu indicated concern over the manipulation of transhumance in political talk, across the whole of Western Africa and the vast Sahel region. “These characteristics of targeting communities together identity lines, if unaddressed, risk further fuelling intercommunal tensions, recruitment by armed groups and retaliatory assaults, with obvious impact on civilians” she added.
Manipulation of transhumance
The UN public appealed for urgent activity to address conflicts, prevent atrocity crimes and allow for tranquil elections to take place. Ms. Nderitu was particularly concerned about the situation in the North Western and North Central regions of Nigeria, where the air episodes took place. Spiritual and traditional leaders also were encouraged to work to appease tensions, prevent incitement to violence and address the risk of atrocity crimes in front of the elections and beyond.
