By Abdulkareem Haruna

The Allamin Foundation for Peace and Development (AFPD), a notable indigenous non-governmental organization (NGO) specializing in peacebuilding, post-conflict reintegration, and transitional justice advocacy, has on Tuesday Nov. 21, conducted an advocacy visit to the Borno State Ministry of Justice. The primary objective of this visit was to seek the buy in of government on the need to enhance capacities and promote transitional justice and reconciliation within Borno state, aiming to contribute to the region’s overall peace and stability.

Hamsatu Allamin, Executive Director of Allamin Foundation, alongside her team, partners, and the media network for transitional justice, asserted the necessity of government involvement, specifically the Ministry of Religious Affairs, to ensure sustainable reconciliation. She highlighted the foundation’s extensive work in areas of radicalization and transitional justice.

Allamin, adhering to the Chatham House rule, shared insights from her organization’s experiences with repentant Boko Haram members, particularly women and children’s combatant roles during the decade-long insurgency. She stressed the importance of the ministry’s leadership in mobilizing local clerics to engage with the repentant terrorists, aiming to prevent future insurgencies.

Photo of the advocacy session at the ministry of religion affairs

The Executive Director revealed that many children born during the insurgency, primarily boys referred to as “invisible children” due to their unknown parentage, were a part of this process. She also shared accounts of women involved in the conflict expressing remorse for their actions.

Borno’s Commissioner of Religious Affairs, Hon. Babagana Malarima, praised Allamin Foundation for its commitment to peace and transitional justice in Borno. He commended the NGO for being proactive in the cause, stating, “This is the only NGO that is locally pushing for the cause of peace and transitional justice in Borno and we in the Ministry of Justice are ready and willing to work with you.”

Malarima noted the significance of the information provided during the advocacy meeting and pledged to discuss further collaboration with his peers at the Ministries of Information, Justice, and Women Affairs, following a request letter from the Allamin Foundation.

The Allamin Foundation has been actively engaging with various communities in Borno State, promoting transitional justice and reconciliation. During these dialogues, participants voiced concerns about the reconciliation process, advocating for a community-driven, victim-centric strategy.