Peace Declaration (by the Hausa Community)

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Country/entity: Nigeria
Plateau State
Region: Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name: Peace Declaration (by the Hausa Community)
Date: 18 May 2013
Agreement status: Unilateral document
Interim arrangement: Yes
Agreement/conflict level: Intrastate/local conflict
Nigerian Civil War (1967), Delta Unrest (1990 - ), Communal Conflicts (1978 - ), and Boko Haram Insurgency (2009 - )
Since 1960 when Nigeria became independent, it has seen a number of coup d’etats and instability. In 1967, after confederation plans for the Nigerian regions to gain more independence failed, the Eastern region seceded as the Republic of Biafra and this caused the Nigerian Civil War. The conflict resulted from political, economic, ethnic and religious tensions which had existed since before Britain drew new borders when colonising the area. The discovery of oil in the Niger Delta heightened the intensity of the conflict. With the aid of British forces, the Nigerian military managed to take back the territory in 1970. Since then, ethnic violence has persisted.

Nigerian Delta Unrest (1990 - )
Conflict in the Niger Delta arose in the 1990s between foreign oil companies and ethnic groups which felt exploited after being forced to abandon their land. The Nigerian military caused international consternation in 1995 when members of the Ogoni tribe of the Niger Delta were found hanged without due process. The proliferation of arms in the region has encouraged the rise of armed groups which have targeted oil companies and pipelines. This came to a head in 2004 when Shell withdrew personnel from two oil fields in response to attacks on wells and pipelines by rebels. The military have attempted to clamp down on militant groups in the Niger Delta but it was not until the establishment of the Presidential amnesty program in 2009 which required the surrender of weapons by militants in exchange for amnesty. In 2016 a new militant group called the Niger Delta Avengers has announced its existence in the Niger Delta illustrating the continued instability in that region.

Boko Haram Insurgency (2009 - )
Sectarian violence has also been rife in Nigeria and since 2002, the radical Islamist group Boko Haram have been violently seeking to establish sharia law throughout Nigeria and an Islamic caliphate in the Northern part of the country. In 2009 they began an official insurgency which spread to Cameroon, Chad and Niger. In 2014 the group kidnapped 276 girls from a college in Chibok and bombed the town of Jos. The insurgency is the result of Muslim – Christian tensions in the country which is a constant source of instability and violence. In 2015 the military led a regional coalition of forces on a counter-offensive against Boko Haram and they were successful in taking ground. There are also conflicts between Fulani herdsmen and Christian peasants in the Middle belt. Widespread corruption and lack of state authority exacerbate these many complex tensions.

Central Nigerian communal conflicts (1978 - )
Unrest in Nigeria is a product of socio-economic pressures between migrating herdsmen and settled agriculturists, exacerbated by firearms proliferation, ethnic conflict, sectarianism and banditry. Since 2001, attacks have adopted a more sectarian character involving suicide bombings and shooting at churches by the jihadist group, Boko Haram. Peaks of violence occurred in 2004 and 2011, patoral/farmer conflict has resulted in the deaths of thousands since the Fourth Nigerian Republic was founded in 1999. The Land Use Act of 1978, exacerbated conflict by allowing longtime occupants 'indigeneship' and the ability to apply for a certificate of occupancy, putting migrating communities at a disadvantage.
Stage: Pre-negotiation/process
Conflict nature: Inter-group
Peace process: Nigeria - Plateau State Process
Parties: Hausa Steering Committee:
1. Alhaji Umaru Sani, Chairman, [Signed]
2. Hon. Ibrahim Dasuki Salihu Nakande, Vice-Chairman
3. Alhaji Shehu Ibrahim Masallah, member, [Signed]
4. Hon. Nazifi Ahmad, member, [Signed]
5. Engr. Mansur Nakande, member, [Signed]
6. Engr. Hassan Hussaini (mni), member, [Signed]
7. Alhaji Baba Bala Muhammad, Secretary, [Signed]
8. Alhaji Danjuma Ibrahim B/Ladi, member, [Signed]
9. Alhaji Sani Mu’azu, Sub Committee Chairman, [Signed]
10. Alhaji Sani Mudi, member
11. Alhaji Haruna Tanko Wada, member, [Signed]
12. Bashiru Shu’aibu Jibrin, member, [Signed]
13. Alhaji Ibrahim Sale Hassan, member, [Signed]
14. Alhaji Muhammad Auwal, member, [Signed]
15. Alhaji Danladi Pasali, member, [Signed]
16. Hon. Aminu Baba, member, [Signed]
Third parties: Humanitarian Dialogue Centre, Geneva
Description: Agreement forms part of the choreography of unilateral pre-negotiation documents between communities of Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria, and is in the same document as the Fulani Declaration of Intent and Position Paper. In addition to the declaration of peace, the agreement contains a position paper by the Hausa. The declaration of peace contains pre-negotiation principles including a guarantee of rights for Hausa, reparations, the creation of a seperate district in Jos North, the implementation of teh 2011 White Paper; implementation of dialogue mechanisms in local and state government; grazing rights; the creation of an independent electoral commission; access on Jos highways; a halt on the denial of places of worship and education; access to burial grounds; increased representation in the security forces.

Agreement document: NG_130519_Hausa Declaration of Peace.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF

Groups

Children/youth: Groups→Children/youth→Other
Page 6, We propose a way forward and a roadmap leading to a Peace Declaration as follows;
... 10. The Hausa Community want the practice of unwarranted blockage of the highway between Barikin-Ladi/Kassa along Jos road, the Abuja-Jos Road and Bukuru-NIPSS Vom Road by irate Berom Youths which is a serious threat to the peace process on the Plateau to be stopped.
Disabled persons: No specific mention.
Elderly/age: No specific mention.
Migrant workers: No specific mention.
Racial/ethnic/national group: Groups→Racial/ethnic/national group→Substantive
Page 5, We propose a way forward and a roadmap leading to a Peace Declaration as follows;
1. The Hausa Community should be guaranteed all the rights and privileges accorded all other ethnic groups in Plateau State as it is incontrovertible that they are bona-fide citizens and indigenes of the State.
Religious groups: Groups→Religious groups→Substantive
Page 6, We propose a way forward and a roadmap leading to a Peace Declaration as follows;
... 11. The Hausa Community wants the denial and illegal confiscation of places of worship to be stopped and adequate protection for the exercise of religious freedom be provided for the sake of fairness and justice. The Plateau State authority should intervene and ensure the safety of worship places across the State especially those at Rukuba Road and Tudan Wada in Jos North and that of Barkin Ladi LGA.

Page 6, We propose a way forward and a roadmap leading to a Peace Declaration as follows;
... 15. Finally, the Hausa Community strongly recommend that all Federal agencies, but especially security outfits be represented by both Muslims and Christians to lend credence to justice an fair play anywhere in Nigeria. This will aid the return of peace. As it is now, only in Plateau State can one find all the Federal Government established security outfits headed by only Christians, entrenching fear and suspicion by the Muslims and a semblance of official injustice.
Indigenous people: No specific mention.
Other groups: No specific mention.
Refugees/displaced persons: Groups→Refugees/displaced persons→Substantive
Page 5, We propose a way forward and a roadmap leading to a Peace Declaration as follows;
... 4. The Hausa Community want a clear unreserved apology given by the Plateau State Government to all those affected by strife, as well as the resettlement of displaced communities back to where they were before the crises and granting of some form of compensation to affected victims of the various carnages who have suffered substantial damages and loss of bread winners.
Social class: No specific mention.

Gender

Women, girls and gender: No specific mention.
Men and boys: No specific mention.
LGBTI: No specific mention.
Family: No specific mention.

State definition

Nature of state (general): No specific mention.
State configuration: No specific mention.
Self determination: No specific mention.
Referendum: No specific mention.
State symbols: No specific mention.
Independence/secession: No specific mention.
Accession/unification: No specific mention.
Border delimitation: No specific mention.
Cross-border provision: No specific mention.

Governance

Political institutions (new or reformed): No specific mention.
Elections: Page 6, We propose a way forward and a roadmap leading to a Peace Declaration as follows;
… 9. There must be a level playing ground for all political contests devoid of rigging of elections and imposition of anointed candidates by Plateau State Government through Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission, PLASEIC, for peace to be restored which allows the legitimate exercise of constitution rights and democratic freedom. Manipulation of laws or and creation of conflict as a means of disenfranchising our people should be stopped by the State Government and its agencies.
Electoral commission: Page 6, We propose a way forward and a roadmap leading to a Peace Declaration as follows;
… 9. There must be a level playing ground for all political contests devoid of rigging of elections and imposition of anointed candidates by Plateau State Government through Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission, PLASEIC, for peace to be restored which allows the legitimate exercise of constitution rights and democratic freedom. Manipulation of laws or and creation of conflict as a means of disenfranchising our people should be stopped by the State Government and its agencies.
Political parties reform: No specific mention.
Civil society: [Summary] Agreement faciliated by Humanitarian Dialogue Centre, Geneva.
Traditional/religious leaders: Page 5, We propose a way forward and a roadmap leading to a Peace Declaration as follows;
... 5. The Hausa Community recommends that three (3) additional Districts be created in Jos North Local Government Area for Communities including our community while the District of Bukuru be resoted on the present occupant who was selected to the office by the Community since the death of former-District Head – Aljahi Sulaiman Mohammed who died in 2001. Doing these will definitely restore confidence from perceived marginalization and entrench peaceful co-existence and harmony. There is the compelling need to strengthen the Hausa traditional institutions in Jos, Bukuru, Barikin Ladi and Bassa, among others, as a way of cultivating early warning signals in times of crisis.
Public administration: No specific mention.
Constitution: No specific mention.

Power sharing

Political power sharing: Power sharing→Political power sharing→General
Sub-state level
Page 6, We propose a way forward and a roadmap leading to a Peace Declaration as follows;
... 15. Finally, the Hausa Community strongly recommend that all Federal agencies, but especially security outfits be represented by both Muslims and Christians to lend credence to justice an fair play anywhere in Nigeria. This will aid the return of peace. As it is now, only in Plateau State can one find all the Federal Government established security outfits headed by only Christians, entrenching fear and suspicion by the Muslims and a semblance of official injustice.
Territorial power sharing: Power sharing→Territorial power sharing→Local/municipal government
Page 5, We propose a way forward and a roadmap leading to a Peace Declaration as follows;
... 5. The Hausa Community recommends that three (3) additional Districts be created in Jos North Local Government Area for Communities including our community while the District of Bukuru be restored on the present occupant who was selected to the office by the Community since the death of former-District Head – Aljahi Sulaiman Mohammed who died in 2001. Doing these will definitely restore confidence from perceived marginalization and entrench peaceful co-existence and harmony. There is the compelling need to strengthen the Hausa traditional institutions in Jos, Bukuru, Barikin Ladi and Bassa, among others, as a way of cultivating early warning signals in times of crisis.
Economic power sharing: No specific mention.
Military power sharing: No specific mention.

Human rights and equality

Human rights/RoL general: Page 5, We propose a way forward and a roadmap leading to a Peace Declaration as follows;
1. The Hausa Community should be guaranteed all the rights and privileges accorded all other ethnic groups in Plateau State as it is incontrovertible that they are bona-fide citizens and indigenes of the State.
2. The Hausa Community want their basic rights and privileges guaranteed and protected in line with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Bill of rights/similar: No specific mention.
Treaty incorporation: No specific mention.
Civil and political rights: No specific mention.
Socio-economic rights: Human rights and equality→Socio-economic rights→Work
Page 5, We propose a way forward and a roadmap leading to a Peace Declaration as follows;
… 3. The Hausa Community want cessation of all forms of discrimination by the Plateau State Government especially in areas of education, employment support such as poverty eradication and provision of social services and amenities to our communities.
Human rights and equality→Socio-economic rights→Education
Page 5, We propose a way forward and a roadmap leading to a Peace Declaration as follows;
… 3. The Hausa Community want cessation of all forms of discrimination by the Plateau State Government especially in areas of education, employment support such as poverty eradication and provision of social services and amenities to our communities.

Page 6, We propose a way forward and a roadmap leading to a Peace Declaration as follows;
… 12. In the same vein, Denial of the right to Education and basic amenities to the Hausa Community should be addressed accordingly by the Plateau State Government through all agencies concerned.
Human rights and equality→Socio-economic rights→Adequate standard of living
Page 6, We propose a way forward and a roadmap leading to a Peace Declaration as follows;
… 12. In the same vein, Denial of the right to Education and basic amenities to the Hausa Community should be addressed accordingly by the Plateau State Government through all agencies concerned.
Human rights and equality→Socio-economic rights→Social security
Page 5, We propose a way forward and a roadmap leading to a Peace Declaration as follows;
… 3. The Hausa Community want cessation of all forms of discrimination by the Plateau State Government especially in areas of education, employment support such as poverty eradication and provision of social services and amenities to our communities.

Rights related issues

Citizenship: Rights related issues→Citizenship→Citizen, general
Page 5, We propose a way forward and a roadmap leading to a Peace Declaration as follows;
1. The Hausa Community should be guaranteed all the rights and privileges accorded all other ethnic groups in Plateau State as it is incontrovertible that they are bona-fide citizens and indigenes of the State.
Democracy: Page 6, We propose a way forward and a roadmap leading to a Peace Declaration as follows;
… 9. There must be a level playing ground for all political contests devoid of rigging of elections and imposition of anointed candidates by Plateau State Government through Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission, PLASEIC, for peace to be restored which allows the legitimate exercise of constitution rights and democratic freedom. Manipulation of laws or and creation of conflict as a means of disenfranchising our people should be stopped by the State Government and its agencies.
Detention procedures: No specific mention.
Media and communication: No specific mention.
Mobility/access: Page 6, We propose a way forward and a roadmap leading to a Peace Declaration as follows;
... 10. The Hausa Community want the practice of unwarranted blockage of the highway between Barikin-Ladi/Kassa along Jos road, the Abuja-Jos Road and Bukuru-NIPSS Vom Road by irate Berom Youths which is a serious threat to the peace process on the Plateau to be stopped.
Protection measures: No specific mention.
Other: No specific mention.

Rights institutions

NHRI: No specific mention.
Regional or international human rights institutions: No specific mention.

Justice sector reform

Criminal justice and emergency law: No specific mention.
State of emergency provisions: No specific mention.
Judiciary and courts: No specific mention.
Prisons and detention: No specific mention.
Traditional Laws: Page 5, We propose a way forward and a roadmap leading to a Peace Declaration as follows;
... 5. The Hausa Community recommends that three (3) additional Districts be created in Jos North Local Government Area for Communities including our community while the District of Bukuru be resoted on the present occupant who was selected to the office by the Community since the death of former-District Head – Aljahi Sulaiman Mohammed who died in 2001. Doing these will definitely restore confidence from perceived marginalization and entrench peaceful co-existence and harmony. There is the compelling need to strengthen the Hausa traditional institutions in Jos, Bukuru, Barikin Ladi and Bassa, among others, as a way of cultivating early warning signals in times of crisis.

Socio-economic reconstruction

Development or socio-economic reconstruction: No specific mention.
National economic plan: No specific mention.
Natural resources: No specific mention.
International funds: No specific mention.
Business: Page 6, We propose a way forward and a roadmap leading to a Peace Declaration as follows;
... 14. The Hausa Community strongly recommend rebuilding of the Jos Main Market which was burnt in 2001 to alleviate hardship suffered by the people and assist in mitigating tension as a way of restoring peace.
Taxation: No specific mention.
Banks: No specific mention.

Land, property and environment

Land reform/rights: Land, property and environment→Land reform/rights→Other land rights
Page 6, We propose a way forward and a roadmap leading to a Peace Declaration as follows;
... 13. The Hausa Community wants the issue of illegal confiscation of legitimately acquired burial grounds in Jos North, Jos South (Bukuru) and all other places to be addressed urgently. The Hausa Community must be allowed to bury their dead ones at designated grave yards as a mark of assurance for peaceful co-existence.
Pastoralist/nomadism rights: Page 5, We propose a way forward and a roadmap leading to a Peace Declaration as follows;
... 8. The Hausa Community recommend that peace can be entrenched with the resuscitation of grazing reserves, and animal rights of way should be enhanced to curtail incessant feud between Fulani herdsmen and farmers as fighting between them always affects the Hausa.
Cultural heritage: Land, property and environment→Cultural heritage→Tangible
Page 6, We propose a way forward and a roadmap leading to a Peace Declaration as follows;
... 13. The Hausa Community wants the issue of illegal confiscation of legitimately acquired burial grounds in Jos North, Jos South (Bukuru) and all other places to be addressed urgently. The Hausa Community must be allowed to bury their dead ones at designated grave yards as a mark of assurance for peaceful co-existence.
Environment: No specific mention.
Water or riparian rights or access: No specific mention.

Security sector

Security Guarantees: No specific mention.
Ceasefire: No specific mention.
Police: Page 6, We propose a way forward and a roadmap leading to a Peace Declaration as follows;
... 15. Finally, the Hausa Community strongly recommend that all Federal agencies, but especially security outfits be represented by both Muslims and Christians to lend credence to justice an fair play anywhere in Nigeria. This will aid the return of peace. As it is now, only in Plateau State can one find all the Federal Government established security outfits headed by only Christians, entrenching fear and suspicion by the Muslims and a semblance of official injustice.
Armed forces: No specific mention.
DDR: No specific mention.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: No specific mention.
Withdrawal of foreign forces: No specific mention.
Corruption: No specific mention.
Crime/organised crime: No specific mention.
Drugs: No specific mention.
Terrorism: No specific mention.

Transitional justice

Transitional justice general: No specific mention.
Amnesty/pardon: No specific mention.
Courts: No specific mention.
Mechanism: No specific mention.
Prisoner release: No specific mention.
Vetting: No specific mention.
Victims: Page 5, We propose a way forward and a roadmap leading to a Peace Declaration as follows;
... 4. The Hausa Community want a clear unreserved apology given by the Plateau State Government to all those affected by strife, as well as the resettlement of displaced communities back to where they were before the crises and granting of some form of compensation to affected victims of the various carnages who have suffered substantial damages and loss of bread winners.
Missing persons: No specific mention.
Reparations: Transitional justice→Reparations→Material reparations
Page 5, We propose a way forward and a roadmap leading to a Peace Declaration as follows;
... 4. The Hausa Community want a clear unreserved apology given by the Plateau State Government to all those affected by strife, as well as the resettlement of displaced communities back to where they were before the crises and granting of some form of compensation to affected victims of the various carnages who have suffered substantial damages and loss of bread winners.
Reconciliation: Page 5, We propose a way forward and a roadmap leading to a Peace Declaration as follows;
... 7. The Hausa Community recommend that Government at all levels should set up machinery for constant dialogue amongst the various communities as a way of engendering greater understanding and respect for one another in order to correct misconceptions to bring back peace and harmony.

Implementation

UN signatory: No specific mention.
Other international signatory: No specific mention.
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: No specific mention.
Enforcement mechanism: No specific mention.
Related cases: No specific mention.
Source: Humanitarian Dialogue Centre, Nigeria, https://www.hdcentre.org/activities/jos-plateau-state-nigeria/

Peace Declaration

We propose a way forward and a roadmap leading to a Peace Declaration as follows;

1. The Hausa Community should be guaranteed all the rights and privileges accorded all other ethnic groups in Plateau State as it is incontrovertible that they are bona-fide citizens and indigenes of the State.

2. The Hausa Community want their basic rights and privileges guaranteed and protected in line with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

3. The Hausa Community want cessation of all forms of discrimination by the Plateau State Government especially in areas of education, employment support such as poverty eradication and provision of social services and amenities to our communities.

4. The Hausa Community want a clear unreserved apology given by the Plateau State Government to all those affected by strife, as well as the resettlement of displaced communities back to where they were before the crises and granting of some form of compensation to affected victims of the various carnages who have suffered substantial damages and loss of bread winners.

5. The Hausa Community recommends that three (3) additional Districts be created in Jos North Local Government Area for Communities including our community while the District of Bukuru be resoted on the present occupant who was selected to the office by the Community since the death of former-District Head – Aljahi Sulaiman Mohammed who died in 2001.

Doing these will definitely restore confidence from perceived marginalization and entrench peaceful co-existence and harmony.

There is the compelling need to strengthen the Hausa traditional institutions in Jos, Bukuru, Barikin Ladi and Bassa, among others, as a way of cultivating early warning signals in times of crisis.

6. The Hausa Community recommend that carefully implementing the White Paper of General Abisoye and Solomon Lar Advisory Committee but especially the White Paper chaired by the Attorney General and Minister of Justice in 2011 will go a long way in resolving most of the contending issues associated with the crisis and restore peace in our communities.

7. The Hausa Community recommend that Government at all levels should set up machinery for constant dialogue amongst the various communities as a way of engendering greater understanding and respect for one another in order to correct misconceptions to bring back peace and harmony.

8. The Hausa Community recommend that peace can be entrenched with the resuscitation of grazing reserves, and animal rights of way should be enhanced to curtail incessant feud between Fulani herdsmen and farmers as fighting between them always affects the Hausa.

9. There must be a level playing ground for all political contests devoid of rigging of elections and imposition of anointed candidates by Plateau State Government through Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission, PLASEIC, for peace to be restored which allows the legitimate exercise of constitution rights and democratic freedom.

Manipulation of laws or and creation of conflict as a means of disenfranchising our people should be stopped by the State Government and its agencies.

10. The Hausa Community want the practice of unwarranted blockage of the highway between Barikin-Ladi/Kassa along Jos road, the Abuja-Jos Road and Bukuru-NIPSS Vom Road by irate Berom Youths which is a serious threat to the peace process on the Plateau to be stopped.

11. The Hausa Community wants the denial and illegal confiscation of places of worship to be stopped and adequate protection for the exercise of religious freedom be provided for the sake of fairness and justice.

The Plateau State authority should intervene and ensure the safety of worship places across the State especially those at Rukuba Road and Tudan Wada in Jos North and that of Barkin Ladi LGA.

12. In the same vein, Denial oft eh right to Education and basic amenities to the Hausa Community should be addressed accordingly by the Plateau State Government through all agencies concerned.

13. The Hausa Community wants the issue of illegal confiscation of legitimately acquired burial grounds in Jos North, Jos South (Bukuru) and all other places to be addressed urgently.

The Hausa Community must be allowed to bury their dead ones at designated grave yards as a mark of assurance for peaceful co-existence.

14. The Hausa Community strongly recommend rebuilding of the Jos Main Market which was burnt in 2001 to alleviate hardship suffered by the people and assist in mitigating tension as a way of restoring peace.

15. Finally, the Hausa Community strongly recommend that all Federal agencies, but especially security outfits be represented by both Muslims and Christians to lend credence to justice an fair play anywhere in Nigeria.

This will aid the return of peace.

As it is now, only in Plateau State can one find allt he Federal Government established security outfits headed by only Christians, entrenching fear and suspicion by the Muslims and a semblance of official injustice.

16. Islam is a religion built on peace and justice.

The religion calls on persons in authority to always be fair and just, to all manner of people under their authority.

It also admonishes all its adherents to live peacefully among themselves and their neighbors.

The Hausa Community therefore recommend that all communities beseech the Almighty God to guide and protect us all as we strive to have a just and peaceful society at all levels.

This is the Hausa Community declaration of Peace.

Alhaji Umaru Sani, Chairman, [Signed]

Hon. Ibrahim Dasuki Salihu Nakande, Vice-Chairman

Alhaji Shehu Ibrahim Masallah, member, [Signed]

Hon. Nazifi Ahmad, member, [Signed]

Engr.

Mansur Nakande, member, [Signed]

Engr.

Hassan Hussaini (mni), member, [Signed]

Alhaji Baba Bala Muhammad, Secretary, [Signed]

Alhaji Danjuma Ibrahim B/Ladi, member, [Signed]

Alhaji Sani Mu’azu, Sub Committee Chairman, [Signed]

Alhaji Sani Mudi, member

Alhaji Haruna Tanko Wada, member, [Signed]

Bashiru Shu’aibu Jibrin, member, [Signed]

Alhaji Ibrahim Sale Hassan, member, [Signed]

Alhaji Muhammad Auwal, member, [Signed]

Alhaji Danladi Pasali, member, [Signed]

Hon. Aminu Baba, member, [Signed]