The African Initiative for Community and Social Development (AfRICOSUD) has urged the Taraba state government to adopt grassroots informed policies to address the root causes of recurring violence in the state.
Speaking before the Taraba State Peace and Justice Commission of Inquiry, on weekend, AfRICOSUD’s Executive Director, Onyeka Nwigwe, presented key findings and recommendations drawn from the organization’s work with communities affected by the recent crisis in Karim Lamido council and surrounding areas.
Nwigwe, who testified on behalf of grassroots stakeholders and youth peace actors trained under AfRICOSUD’s Speak Peace Project.
He highlighted several critical areas, which include, persistent drivers of farmer-herder clashes in rural communities, the importance of locally led early warning and early response mechanisms, the role of youth, traditional rulers, and security forces in peacebuilding, and policy proposals to strengthen peace infrastructure at the state and community levels
“Peace is not merely the absence of violence—it is the presence of justice,” Nwigwe told the Commission, emphasizing that long-term stability must be rooted in inclusion, accountability, and proactive governance.
AfRICOSUD commended the state government for establishing the Commission and described the platform as a vital step toward healing and reconciliation.
The organization reiterated its commitment to transforming pain into policy and empowering local voices to drive meaningful institutional reform.