UN harps on ceasefire to resolve conflict, promote peace

Mohammed, also Chairperson of the UN Sustainable Development Group, made the remarks at a public lecture in Abuja.

The lecture was titled “The use of ceasefire agreements in avoiding escalation of armed conflicts”.

The National Daily reports that the lecture, which is second in the series, was organized by the Faculty of Law, Baze University, Abuja.

She identified ceasefire agreement as a major tool often employed by the UN to resolve conflict situations across the world.

“On many occasions, the UN Security Council has issued cease-fire directives to prevent conflicts, which has helped to address several issues.

“Efforts to create the need for a ceasefire agreement to promote a humanitarian cause and to tackle related challenges faced sabotages, especially early stages of fighting that things become complex.

“These challenges range from different objectives and motivation of the conflict parties and changing conflict dynamics to the direct or indirect influences of regional and international activists,’’ she said.

Mohammed said that this is where it gets complex in the global or local environment.

“At some point, they refuse our international interest, which becomes protracted on resolving conflicts.

“Currently the UN is leasing or supporting efforts to achieve implementation of ceasefire agreements in a range of conflicts-related context.’’

The envoy also stressed the need for protection of lives and property in humanitarian crises, saying that such is often related to domestic or gender-based violence.

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She decried increasing gender-based violence by 300 percent globally in the past one and a half years.

Mohammed added that adequate health systems and good governance structures should be provided to tackle the humanitarian crisis.

She, therefore, reiterated that government stakeholders, community leaders, and warring factions should always embrace ceasefire in conflict situations as means to ensure peace.

“We have also noted that what is much needed is the relevant support for people during the lockdown and global ceasefire in conflict, to help open up space for diplomacy.

“It is also appropriate to talk to leaders of warring factions, which is one way people will realize the need for peace, sustainability, and that war is no way to go.’’

Vice-Chancellor of Baze University,  Prof. Mamman Tahir (SAN), said the lecture was one in a series been put together by the Law Faculty in the University to promote interactive learning.

He thanked Mohammed for finding time to deliver the lecture, adding that the topic was apt and in line with global trends in terms of crisis resolution.

“Universities are different from other places because you have a platform for sharing ideas.

“So, we are happy that this lecture is carried out here today,’’ Tahir said.

He noted that there was the need for people to always engage in roundtable discussions, as a means to find solutions to conflict situations and also to promote lasting peace.

In a separate interview at the event, the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, commended the lecture for providing a pathway for Nigeria to grow economically by means of a humanitarian approach.

Amaechi, also a Humanitarian Law Student at the School, said that a lot could be derived from the lecture about proper ways to positively impact society.

“There is no situation about a religious crisis in Nigeria, Christians go about their business, Muslims go about their business, and only those who have selfish interests propagate one religion against the other.

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“The reason people join them is not religious but mostly because of money.

“One way to reduce such problem is to continue to grow agriculture and other aspects of the economy.

“Government will continue to do its best,’’ Amaechi said.

The National Daily reports that the high point of the event was the citation on Mohammed as well as question and answers on best practices towards conflict resolution.