Insecurity: Use dialogue, political approach, UN advises Buhari

The United Nations has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to complement military force with enhanced dialogue and political approach process in search of durable solution to insecurity in Nigeria.

The UN’s Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Edward Kallon, gave the advice after leading a delegation to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja.

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The UN envoy said the typologies of the different insecurity challenges in the country make them difficult to resolve.

“The conflict is still ongoing. It’s not over. But today again, I told Mr. President that in addition to the military effort, that there is the need to complement that with enhanced dialogue and political approach process in search of durable solution to the crisis. So, we think various approaches have to be used to find a solution,” he said.

He listed three forms of conflicts in Nigeria to include identity-based, resource-based and power-based conflicts, saying “there is no one size fits all” solution to them.

He said the UN invested an average of $1.5bn yearly to support the humanitarian and development efforts in Nigeria.

He said the humanitarian problem in the northeast did not have a humanitarian solution but could rather be solved through an atmosphere of peace and preventive measures.

Kallon, who said Nigeria should see the COVID-19 pandemic as an opportunity to strengthen its health institutions, urged the government to put in action, bold and effective changes to restructure and reform government health institutions.

On the fight against corruption, he lauded Buhari for his resolve to reform and return discipline in the public service as well as the success in fighting corruption including the convictions and recovery of assets.

“As you continue to strengthen institutions to fight corruption, we now also need to increase our support for grassroots and ‘people-centered’ approach and get all members of the community involved and engaged,” he told President Buhari.

On census, he said that the UN, currently supporting the Enumeration Area Demarcation exercise, was willing to continue to support such an effort at all stages.

He said: “A national census is long over-due and critical for planning and effective management of national resources and to guide strategic investments in health care, education food security, human resources and social services.”

Buhari welcomed commendations by the UN on efforts to restore security, strengthen institutions against corruption, improve health facilities and rebuilding of the multilateral institution’s office attacked by terrorists in 2011.

Buhari, who said reconstruction of the UN building by the government was in full appreciation of the work of the international organisation, noted that the attack by the terrorists was regrettable.