Post election violence update from North Central Nigeria. April 22, 2011
Our friends are suffering post-election violence in and around Kafanchan in Kaduna State. This is what we have heard over the past few days. Please forward this information to anyone who you think should see it.
First news of local trouble
On Tuesday 20th at 20.55 John Dada emailed:
The attackers are heavily armed, better than the military police. Not sure where to evacuate the folks in my compound as we will probably be the next target. Its protest against President Goodluck's PDP party win. The irony is that the CPC party, whose members are attacking us, actually won in Kaf. It looks like heads or tails, we lose. Three FF (Fanstuam Foundation) staff had their homes burnt down, all they have left are the clothes they are standing in.
Today, I have been preoccupied ferrying men with gunshot wounds to a village hospital, some 35km away from Kaf. The logistic of hosting over 200 folks at such short notice at lunch time has been dauting. 75 of them are staying the nite in our compound; making sleeping arrangements is also quite a challenge. I dont know what we'll do for breakfast tomorrow, the Kaf market has been torched. We're certainly in for a period of food scarcity, expensive household items etc
I have asked the men to sleep with one eye open, we don't want to be sitting ducks.
(snip)
FF wasnt open today, its not likely we'll open 2moro. As you can see, everything else is on hold until this crisis subsides
Sharing the news
I had just got in from a meeting about the Nigerian elections at the Schoolo of African and Oriental Studies (at London University) and posted this to Dadamac's posterous
More information through Facebook
On Wednesday 20 April 2011 01:07 David Mutua sent the following updating message:
Dear Friends,
I hope the days and years ahead will see more peaceful co-existence of all peoples. The hatred is deep. Near where I live a reverend sister tried to protect a fleeing muslim not sure whether it was one of the attackers but the youth in the area wouldn't have it. they got the men and slaughtered them. 5 of them. This is very sad.
The young men are all swearing vengeance on muslims. I am not sure how we can tackle this.
The Night was peaceful, though we all took turns keeping watch at night.
We had a peaceful nite n d crowd are trekking bak to their homes. I will appreciate ur thots on how we can initiate a long-term Truth and Reconciliation strategy for Kafanchan. The religious divide, mutual suspicion n hatred is really deep. There has been ethnic/religious cleansing in communities that have always lived together and inter-married.
But there has bn stories of brave ppl on both sides risking their lives to protect their neighbours. Pls let me know how to start bringin the sides together. We must also look at counsellin n economic support for people whose homes and businesses have been destroyed. Am not asking us to pretend to be Government or play God, my hope is to start something small that can be a catalyst which government can help consolidate
Skype (typed) group meeting at 10.00
Normally on a Wednesday we hold a UK-Nigeria Dadamac team meeting We were surprised and relieved when John joined us oniine as usual at 10.00. As usual John was dealing wiht immediate needs and looking ahead. He said:
- I need to do the rounds of condolence visits to folks who lost families and properties and visit the regees (refugees) at the police station (NB from Pam - police station is used for sanctuary in various situations)... the influx into our house is proof that FF has proved itself a rock of refuge in the community... we need to proceed with economic empowerment... we need to start political mobilisation now and not wait until its 3-6 months to election time, these are all long term...in the short term we need to provide support for folks who have lost family and businesses...we need to build a coalition of willing civil society to lead sessions of reconciliation
- nikki fishman 20/04/2011 10:16
perhaps the community action groups could be a vehicle for gauging and addressing local tensions and concern? - John Dada 20/04/2011 10:16
yes leaders and ordinary folks who who stood by their neighbors in these trying times...I suppose I am looking for a comprehensive short and long term strategy which can be implemented in parallel, and owned from start by the folks... implementing it at community levels, working through the community action committees, detecting flashpoints in good time, diffusing tensions as quicklt as possible, promoting attirudinal change in the frustrated teeming population of youths.. Yes .. the CAC is what I am also looking at, a decentralised peace promoting effort within FF's wholistic environment - John Dada 20/04/2011 10:26
sorry am sorry just got distress calls from home of fresh fightin. Must go now
John planning ahead and looking for opportunities for positive change
In the evening, at 21:16, John was emailing again about his long term plans:
Sorry I had to leave the meeting so abruptly.
Armed police n soldiers have been on patrol and kept warring parties apart. We have only 7 folks staying with us tonite, and curfew is from 730pm to 6am.
(snip)
Am sure the current misfortune can be turned into opportunities for moving people out of subsistence. The reconstruction of the Kaf market can create hundreds of jobs if only I know how to go about it. Massive cheap housing is another opportuntiy to engage the restless jobless, youths.
Where can we get a listenin ear? I believe reconciliation will be enhanced if done in parallel with job creation. Govt is in paralysis at moment, National Union of Road Transport Workers, NUTRW members suffered heavy losses: their vehicles burnt, motor parks razed down. How, who can we engage for market reconstruction, providing new vehicles for NURTW members as loans: these can be provided as Social Business investments that will make profit and do public good. Do we know any social investor or angel investors who can work with us? A private public partnership?
Are U familiar with KIVA? We've been trying to catch their attention since 2007 with no luck. They lend at low rates for long periods of time........just a thought.
Massive job creation linked to grassroot reconciliation efforts can be a winner, what do you think?
Friday 22nd - grim news
By this evening the news was grim again - in an email at 20.41 headed "John shared some disturbing news about escalating local violence and his own perilous situation as someone working across the religious divide. We are seeking clarification on how much of this it is right to share. He is mobilising a think tank to help him intervene effectively.
Lessons from Kenya
I sent him some information on what Minciu Sodas had done during the Kenyan post election violence through Pyramid of Peace as it migth provide ideas for his think tank.
- Brief background to Pyramid of Peace. http://phone4peace.blogspot.com/
- Full archive of Pyramid of Peace http://www.pyramidofpeace.net/
Donating
You can give an online donation to support John's work here http://www.dadamac.net/foundation
The think tank
Please forward this information to any one who might have useful information, ideas, or resources to support John in his work to combat this ethnic/sectarian violence - both now and to create long term solutions.
This information was posted by Pamela McLean
You can contact me here - pamela.mclean@dadamac.net