Nigeria Country Director of the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), Dr. Chris Kwaja, has called on authorities to establish a Resilience and Peace Facility for effective crisis and conflict management. This call was made in a press release dated July 12, 2024.
Dr. Kwaja highlighted the importance of such a facility by referencing the African Union Peace Fund, stating, “Recall that the African Union Peace Fund was established as part of the broader African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) that, together with the PSC, the African Standby Force, the Military Staff Committee, the Continental Early Warning System, and the Panel of the Wise, were meant to enhance the prevention, management, and resolution of conflicts, and facilitates timely and effective responses to conflict and crisis situations in Africa.”
He further mentioned the European Union’s support through the African Peace Facility, saying, “In support of the above initiative, at the request of African leaders, the European Union established the African Peace Facility through the European Development Fund, to support the African Union’s and African Regional Economic Communities’ efforts in the area of peace and security.”
In his proposal for Nigeria, Dr. Kwaja stated, “The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) is calling for the establishment of a Nigerian Resilience and Peace Facility (NRP), to be driven by the private sector, as part of its contribution to support state and non-state efforts on resilience and peace in the country.”
He elaborated on the role of the private sector in this initiative: “In taking collective actions, key private sector entities such as the Dangote Foundation, Abdul Samad Rabiu African Initiative (ASR Africa), Tony Elumelu Foundation, TY Danjuma Foundation, among others, can provide reliable and predictable funding for the Nigerian Resilience and Peace Facility. This funding would target capacity building for peace practitioners, early warning and early response, implementation of the national action plans on women, peace and security; youth, peace and security, among others. This would serve as the private sector’s main instrument for supporting efforts towards peace, security, and stability in Nigeria, through a medium that is well-coordinated and resourced.”