UNDP Requests Military-Civilian Coordination For Access To Conflict Areas
By Trek Africa Newspaper
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has emphasised the importance of early coordination between military and civilian actors in conflict situations to improve humanitarian access and civilian-led stabilisation.
Elise Attafuah, UNDP’s Resident Representative in Nigeria, made the call on Monday in Abuja at the start of a five-day regional workshop on conflict sensitivity and inclusive security for security force liaison officers and Monitoring & Evaluation staff.
The workshop, organised by UNDP in collaboration with the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) Regional Strategy for Stabilisation, Recovery, and Resilience of Boko Haram Affected Areas in the Lake Chad Basin Region (RS-SRR), aims to provide an opportunity to reflect on civil-military engagement in stabilisation programming in the Lake Chad Basin and Liptako-Gourma programmes.
Attafuah was represented by the deputy director of Operations for UNDP in Nigeria.
Blessed Chimuruta stated that security measures alone will not result in successful stabilisation.
Attafuah added: “Over the next three days, we will embark on a journey of reflection and learning, examining our civil-military engagement over the last five years.
“This workshop provides a unique opportunity to accept how we engage with local, national, and regional security forces to support communities where stabilisation programs are being implemented.
“With SFLOs operating in the Liptako-Gourma region of the Lake Chad Basin, we have the opportunity to collectively address the risks and challenges we face in the field in border areas.
“We hope to improve our approach by sharing our experiences and best practices.”
Dr. Nana Zakama, Senior Technical Adviser to the Deputy Governor of Borno, thanked UNDP for the invitation to share ideas for improving state security.
She stated, “Since the inception of regional stabilisation in our facility, Borno has played an important role in ensuring success, and our contribution has been guided by our governor’s unwavering leadership.
“Our governor’s actions demonstrate Borno’s steadfast commitment to restoring peace, rebuilding communities, and sustaining development.
“Borno’s governor, Babagana Zulum, leads a dedicated team in driving and complementing stabilisation initiatives through strategic investment in security, livelihood, housing, health, and social welfare, among other areas.
“While creating a conducive environment for the return of refugees in a dignified manner,” Zakama stated.
Gen. Dahiru Abdulsalam (Retired), Yobe Governor’s Security Advisor, stated that the state has made significant contributions to the Northeast’s efforts since the regional stability project began.
Yobe will continue to collaborate closely with UNDP and other development partners who share and align with the state to improve security coordination and effectiveness, he said.
Abdulsalam stated that “our commitment to improving security, promoting human rights, and fostering community resilience has been unwavering.
“Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe recently established a security planning commission and provided vehicles to our security forces, thereby increasing capacity and capability to maintain peace and security and enforce control over insurgent strongholds.”
