The Senate has passed the National Commission for Peace, Reconciliation and Mediation Bill, 2018 (SB 74) which seeks to provide for the establishment of a National Commission responsible for the identification of conflicts; supervision, coordination and monitoring of all peaceful resolutions between governments, organizations and relevant institutions.

Presenting the report on the Bill, Chairman, Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Sen. David Umaru (APC: Niger) mentioned that objectives of the Bill to include:

• Establishing a Commission with the mandate to identify, supervise, coordinate and monitor all forms of conflicts and resolutions within the country; and
• Implementing the National Peace Policy that provides a framework for peace-building, prevention, management and resolution of dysfunctional conflicts in Nigeria.

Sen. Umaru mentioned that the Committee had received memoranda and conducted a public hearing on the bill in order to avail stakeholders and the general public the opportunity to make input through oral presentations. He listed the key stakeholders to include:

1. The Federal Ministry of Justice
2. The Nigerian Law Reform Commission
3. The Nigerian Army
4. The Nigerian Navy
5. The Nigerian Air Force
6. Department of State Services
7. National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)
8. The Nigerian Securities and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)
9. Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution
10. Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC); among others.

Sen. Umaru noted that stakeholders present at the Public Hearing made valuable contributions on the provisions of the proposed legislation and spoke in support of its passage by the Senate. He mentioned the highlights of the presentations to include:

• Developing a legal framework that promotes peace, security and development in areas of conflicts;
• Establishing measures that enhance national cohesion and sustainable development;
• Resolving, controlling and preventing conflicts in Nigeria by ensuring responses are targeted at addressing the causes of conflicts. For instance, proliferation of illicit arms and light weapons, influx of foreigners owing to porous borders; and
• Empowering the Commission with the mandate to promote peace and security due to limitation of the scope of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution.

Lastly, Sen. Umaru explained that the Bill, if passed, will engender peace and enhance socio-economic and political growth of the country.

Click here to view the full report of the Committee.