RE-EXAMINING PEACEMAKING AND CONFLICTMANAGEMENT: THE ROLE OFYOUTH IN PEACE BUILDING AND PROCESS IN SOUTH-EAST NIGERIA

Abstract

In the Southeast region of Nigeria, conflicts between various ethnic groups, have been prevalent in recent years. These conflicts have resulted in displacement, economic disruption, and the loss of lives and properties. Despite various peace-building and conflict management efforts by the Nigerian government, civil society organizations, and international bodies, conflicts continue to occur in Nigeria. It is necessary to re-examine the current peacemaking and conflict management approaches to identify the gaps, especially from the youth population which has not receive much attention. The methodology adopted is the content analysis approach. The paper adopted the Social Identity Theory (SIT) as its theoretical framework. The theory provides a useful framework for understanding the role of group identity in conflict and peacebuilding. The findings of the study revealed that youths have the potential to play an important role in peacebuilding and conflict management in South-East Nigeria. The paper concludes that there is a need to involve young people in peace-building efforts as well as to promote their participation. It recommends that youths should be involved in decision-making processes at all levels of government and civil society as this can help to ensure that their voices are heard and their perspectives considered in policies that affect them.