CSOs reaffirm commitment to preventing violence, extremism

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

Abuja based Civil Society Organisation, the Sahel Network on Preventing Violent Extremism (SNPVE) has reaffirmed its commitment to preventing violence extremism in Nigeria.
The Group in a Communiqué issued yesterday in Abuja , said their goal is to promote an environment of collaborative efforts between international and local actors aimed at preventing violent extremism , promoting peace-building and development in the Sahel region.
The SNPVE he said, has over 20 civil society’s organizations and think tanks that operate in the Sahel region.
“With this , we present a common vision and roadmap to strengthen the voices, structures, and capacities of societies to efficiently prevent violent extremism and ensure sustainable peace in the Sahel region”.
“We also recognize the United Nations Secretary General’s Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism, the Stockholm Declaration on Addressing Fragility and Building Peace in a Changing World, the United Nation’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security”.
“We support the African Union Plan of Action on Prevention and Combating Terrorism Framework, which seeks to address the security challenges facing the continent, focusing on building the capacity of the police, enhancing border control, strengthening legislative and judicial measures, and increasing understanding of illicit financial flows and the exchange of information,” the communiqué read in part.
It also listed action plans of group such as promoting soft approach policies in the Sahel region that encompass robust peace-building processes including citizen engagement and human security approaches, and advocating for a holistic approach to justice system reforms that respect the rule of law and universal human rights, especially those which pertain to the rights of children and vulnerable persons.