Abstract:
This paper examines post conflict reintegration and challenges of social cohesion in Northeastern
Nigeria. The paper evaluates the level of social cohesion among four communities affected by the
Boko Haram insurgency especially in Borno State, Nigeria. The study presents findings on the nature
of social cohesion as both an attribute of a society and as an outcome for peace building
interventions aimed to engineer trust across the four communities under study. While adopting
qualitative research design, primary and secondary data were used as our source. The paper found
out that, Peace building actors like International Alert have discovered building social cohesion in
conflict prone areas as key conditions for the sustainability of peace reintegration, resettlement, and
rehabilitation of the displaced persons, building state capacity and fostering socio-economic
development. The paper also found that, the patterns of social cohesion and strategies that
groups/communities use to co-exist peacefully differ from one case to another particularly where
there are high level of human insecurity and economic crisis and social polarization and state-led
efforts towards constructing trust through new narratives of cohesion and integration. However,
citizens of the area expressed willingness to relocate back home but are wary of anticipated
challenges for resettlement such as housing, health care, and other basic infrastructures as well as
capital to kick-start livelihoods and more importantly security. The paper recommends among others
that Provision of social services such as health centre, food, sanitation and shelters by the
stakeholders for those living in IDP camps and in affected communities we go a long way in
reintegrating the citizens. |
