Traditional Rulers from the Lake Chad Basin have resolved to partner with various governments in the region to tackle some of the challenges faced by the populace, which include insurgency, community conflicts, and the impacts of climate change.
The regional monarchs also resolved to look into extreme poverty bedevilling the people, the fragility of local institutions, violence against women, and the need to strengthen cross-border cooperation and preserve the indigenous knowledge of the people.
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The resolutions were contained in the communiqué issued at the end of their meeting held between 27th and 28th January at the Muhammad Indimi International Conference Centre at the University of Maiduguri, ahead of the Lake Chad Basin Governors Forum Meeting beginning from 29th to 31st January 2025.
The communiqué for the traditional rulers meeting with the theme “Fostering Sustainable Peace through Traditional Rulers in the Lake Chad Basin,” was signed by the chairman of the committee, His Royal Highness, the Emir of Fika, who is the chairman Yobe State Council of Traditional Rulers, while the members are His Majesty, the Sultan of N’Djamena (Chad); His Majesty, the Sultan of Kousseri (Cameroon), among others.
The traditional rulers in the communique resolved to be committed to their role as guardians of traditions, peace, and social cohesion within their various communities.
They also resolved to support the efforts of states and technical and financial partners to restore security, improve local governance, and strengthen the resilience of populations in affected areas.
“We commit to strengthening our role as custodians of the culture and tradition, peace, preventing and managing community conflicts, and promoting dialogue and reconciliation between the parties. We will develop local frameworks for dialogue to promote peaceful coexistence, including youth, women, and marginalised groups.
“We strongly condemn all forms of violence against women, whether physical, psychological, economic, or cultural. We are committed to raising awareness in our communities about women’s rights and promoting respectful and equal behaviours.
“We will work with local and international institutions to set up mechanisms to protect women victims of violence, including listening and assistance centres. We will work to integrate women into mediation and decision-making processes, recognising their essential role in peacebuilding.
“We commit to promoting cross-border cooperation to strengthen solidarity between communities in the different countries of the Lake Chad Basin.
We will work to establish cross-border frameworks for dialogue among traditional rulers to resolve conflicts related to access to natural resources, trade, and people’s mobility.
” We will develop mechanisms for sharing information and best practices to manage common challenges, including security, migration, and resource management. We will support joint initiatives for cross-border socio-economic development, such as markets, trade corridors, and joint environmental programmes.
” We commit to valuing and transmitting traditional knowledge, including ancestral natural resource management practices, conflict resolution, and ecosystem preservation. We will develop educational and cultural programmes to document, safeguard, and transmit this knowledge to the younger generations.
“We will work to partner with academic institutions and international organizations to integrate this knowledge into modern solutions to current challenges. We call on governments and international partners to provide technical and financial support tailored to the needs of communities to build stabilization and resilience.
“We commit to actively seeking funding to implement concrete actions at the local level, focusing on sustainable and inclusive solutions.
We will work to establish a permanent regional framework for reflection and consultation among traditional rulers to ensure effective coordination of efforts.
” In addressing the negative impact of social media, we will conduct awareness campaigns to encourage positive use of social media and counter disinformation that threatens social cohesion. We will promote transmitting cultural and traditional values to strengthen identity and unity within our communities,” the communique stated.
Officially closing the meeting, the executive secretary of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC), Amb. Maman Nuhu, described the gathering as a resounding success, emphasising its significance in fostering dialogue, regional collaboration, and addressing critical cross-border challenges confronting the Lake Chad Basin.