President Muhammadu Buhari has stated that his administration is taking a new approach to dealing with the North East’s 13-year conflict and insurgency.
President Buhari, who also stated that his government will not relent in its efforts to restore peace and normalcy in the region, promised that in the coming months, Nigerians in the region will see a shift from the protracted insurgency to peace and development in their respective communities.
The President spoke at the inauguration of the Presidential Committee on the Repatriation, Return, and Resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Nigeria’s North-East, which preceded the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa’s Council Chambers in Abuja.
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“At the start of this administration in 2015, I promised Nigerians that I would restore peace in the North East and return it to the path of development and growth,” he said. This promise is still binding on me.
“To the people of the North-East, especially the children and future of the North-East, we will never forget your courage, sacrifice, and endurance.”
“I pledge to you that in the coming months, you will see a shift away from a protracted insurgency and toward peacebuilding, stabilization, and eventually development in your respective communities as we embark on a revised approach to addressing this conflict- A Return to Normalcy.”
The President emphasized that the committee’s mandate requires a shift from managing the situation to implementing a long-term solution for effective and practical restoration.
He stated that, among other things, the committee is expected to develop a concise three-year action plan by the end of March 2022 that incorporates national and state-level plans, providing a clear pathway for the restoration of peace and development in the North East.
President Buhari stated that the committee will also develop and implement a phased plan for repatriation, returns, IDP resettlement, and livelihood restoration, incorporating global best practices that provide dignity to affected populations.
He also stated that it will be in charge of developing and implementing a culturally appropriate and community-driven coordinated peacebuilding and reconciliation program.
Similarly, the committee is tasked with strengthening collaboration with key donors, development partners, and private sector organizations that are critical to resource mobilization and program implementation.
He charged the committee members with adhering to the guiding principles of accountability, delineation of duties, and community-driven problem-solving methods.
“Members will devote more time to conducting field visits in order to engage with state government, communities, and key stakeholders on a regular basis,” he said.
“Due to current fiscal constraints, Ministries, Departments, and Agencies will use existing budgetary resources and reallocate funds to approved programs under this initiative.”
President Buhari has directed that the committee submit monthly progress reports, with the first progress review meeting scheduled for the first week of March 2022.
“History beckons, and Nigeria calls on you to be the team that finally charts this new path to the restoration of sustainable progress in the North East, and I strongly believe this could lead to the birth of a template for addressing insurgency and instability in other parts of our country and around the world,” the President said, emphasizing the enormous task ahead of the Committee.
“Failure to complete the task assigned to you is not an option.”
The President also used the occasion to praise Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, who was in attendance at the inauguration alongside his Gombe counterpart, Inuwa Yahaya, for his unparalleled commitment to his people and exemplary leadership.
He also thanked the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) for its assistance in the coordination of humanitarian actors, as well as the UNDP regional stabilisation facility, which provides assistance in the areas of security and the rule of law.
The following ministers serve on the Presidential Committee on the Repatriation, Return, and Resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the North-East: Finance, Budget, and National Planning; Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice; Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development; Interior; Foreign Affairs and Defence.
The National Security Adviser, Inspector-General of Police, Chief of Defence Staff, Director General, State Security, Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Director-General, North-East Development Commission, Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons, Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency, and Chief of Defence Intelligence are among those who have been appointed.
Speaking to State House correspondents after the inauguration, Zulum expressed delight at the inauguration of the committee, saying that displaced people will now be repatriated and the issue of repentant Boko Haram insurgents will be addressed further.
“Indeed, we are very happy, especially those of us in the North East, because thousands of people have been displaced, and some are seeking refuge in the Republic of Chad, the Republic of Niger, and Cameroon,” he said.
And now is the time for the federal government of Nigeria, in collaboration with the state government of the North East, to facilitate the repatriation of internally displaced people from neighboring countries to Nigeria.
“The committee will also investigate the management of repentant Boko Haram members.”
“We are truly grateful, and the entire Northeastern government will lend its full support to this committee.”
We will provide the necessary support to the federal government under Mr. President’s distinguished leadership, including support for the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and others, as well as the military, to ensure that this process produces the desired results.”
