Capitalization report and lessons learned “Kallo Leino Klla Founa” project – Together, let’s move forward into the future”

Capitalization report and lessons learned “Kallo Leino Klla Founa” project– Together, let’s move forward into the future”,of which the goal Contribute to the peaceful reintegration of repentant prisoners and presumed members of Boko Haram in the Diffa region, funded by the European Union through the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace (ICsP).

This project supported the Ministry of the Interior, the Governor of the Diffa region and the High Authority for the Consolidation of Peace (HACP), through these three axes: The de-radicalization of individuals who participated in the actions of the Boko Haram group; The social and professional reintegration of penitents and ex-prisoners; Communication and community awareness on the return of repentant individuals and ex-prisoners.

Through the capitalization effort, the experience and know-how acquired during the projects carried out are preserved, systematized, shared and made available to local partners, while facilitating the planning of future projects. The objective of this capitalization was to “Identify, analyze and share good practices, lessons learned and challenges of support activities for the reintegration of ex-combatants Boko Haram in the Lake Chad region“:

Highlights of the capitalization

• With regard to the success factors, the capitalization process reveals a better understanding of the contours of reintegration and the implications for the return of stability to Diffa following the establishment of frameworks for dialogue between the members of the community and their leader on the government’s call for reintegration has led to a better situation. A positive change in the behavior of detainees and pentiti who participated in de-radicalization activities as declared by the prison managers on the basis of their observation. The implementation of the project prompted the government to adapt Niger’s legal framework to the government’s call for the socio-professional reintegration of former Boko Haram combatants.
• Regarding the lessons learned, the capitalization process reveals that the legal aspect related to the call for reintegration was an essential aspect of the reissue of Boko Haram fighters. This should have been dealt with before the start of the program and the activities of the NGO partners. The redevelopment of spaces in the Goudoumaria camp and Kollo prison has enabled activities to be held in compliance with required standards. The endowment of young people from the communities with IGAs has reduced conflicts and frustration over the reintegration of repentants. Respondents unanimously affirm the need to continue supporting young people in return communities.
• Finally, as a difficulty, the capitalization process reveals the poor coordination between partner NGOs, the HACP, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Justice during the closing phase of the process initiated since the start of the program. The constant external threat from armed groups in the Tillabéri region to hinder the continuity of activities at the level of Kollo prison and a definitive cessation of activities at Koutoukalé prison. Some members of the community still fear that these repentants will return to Boko Haram and once again sow insecurity in the region. There is a risk for the community to be targeted by Boko Haram due to the return of repentants and ex-detainees.

This entry was posted in Africa, Evaluations and tagged DDR, Diffa 2018, Ex-combatant Boko Haram reintegration project, Niger, Niger Evaluations, Stabilization of the Lake Chad basin, Tillabéri, youth empowerment on October 19, 2022.

Baseline study – project “On est ensemble !“, phase 2

This report is part of the baseline study at the level of the two (2) new municipalities of additional intervention to the five initial municipalities of the “On Est Ensemble” project, funded by USAID. Search for Common Ground implements for 12 month (February 1, 2022 to January 31, 2023) in partnership with young people from the local association ComDev and the NGO BERANDI a project whose overall objective is to “Strengthen the resilience of young people in the face of violent extremism and to promote stability in long term in the north of Tillabéri”.

The general purpose of this baseline study is to determine the baseline of project performance indicators by ensuring greater sensitivity to conflict. The main results of this baseline assessment are structured under the following key points:

Context analysis

• While respondents in Say claim that the commune is constantly threatened by NSAG incursions, in Kollo the situation was considered stable with certain concerns from respondents who feel that measures must be taken by both communities and authorities to preserve peace and stability. This contextual situation has several consequences noted by the respondents, including, among others, the mass exodus of young people, the closure of certain schools, certain markets and fairs. From an administrative point of view, the authorities are also seeing a drop in the amount that communities pay for taxes.

Conflict dynamics analysis

• Three types of conflict mainly mentioned by the respondents in the two municipalities, these are: Conflicts related to access and management of natural resources; Conflicts linked to insecurity caused by non-state armed groups; Marital conflicts. The data collected also reveals factors that hinder social cohesion. These are: the insufficiency of a framework for meeting, bad behavior of the different communities, the idleness of the youth, weak interaction between the community groups of different cultures, prejudices based on ethnicity, distrust between the communities. According to the comments of the respondents, the opportunities for peacebuilding are brought by the main community leaders, traditional chiefs (canton chief, district chief), administrative and customary authorities, security actors, the youth council and the youth structure of the municipality, and women’s groups

Baseline for performance indicators

• Indicator 1: 32,9% of target community members say young people are taking steps to become active and positive members.
• Indicator 1.1: 31,4% of targeted youth believe they can meaningfully engage with their peers in a non-adversarial and non-violent way.
• For Conflict Sensitivity: Strengthen the framework for dialogue between communities on access and use of shared natural resources. Strengthen land commissions in their role of regulating access to and use of land by communities
• For strengthening positive youth engagement: Develop and implement a youth empowerment plan based on criteria of vulnerability to violent extremism.

This entry was posted in Africa, Evaluations and tagged Niger, Niger Evaluations, Resilience of young people in the face of violent extremism in the Sahel, Tillabéri on October 19, 2022.

Baseline study – project “On est ensemble !”, phase 1.

The overall objective of this project is to “strengthen the resilience of young people to violent extremism and promote long-term stability in northern Tillabéri”. This project is implemented in five (5) municipalities in the Tillabéri region (Abala, Ayorou, Banibangou, Bankilaré, Sanam). This first phase of the project funded by USAID for a period of 24 months is implemented in partnership with the local association ComDev, works with the High Authority for the Consolidation of Peace (HACP), the Governorate of Tillabéri, the councils of young people, local conflict management structures, community radios and young leaders. As a prelude to the implementation of project activities, a baseline study was carried out in July 2020 to understand the scope of the issue related to violent extremism.

The general objective of this baseline study is to determine the baseline level of project performance indicators ensuring greater conflict sensitivity. The main results of this baseline assessment are structured under the following key points:

Conflict dynamics analysis

• The conflict analysis conducted as part of this baseline study confirms the worrying state of the security situation. The main characteristic of the region’s context is its high volatility, creating a climate of permanent anxiety even in periods of calm. The most recurrent conflicts that hinder security stability and social cohesion within communities are conflicts related to access and management of natural resources, conflicts related to the actions of NSAGs, leadership conflicts, conflicts conflicts, conflicts between young people and communities and conflicts between authorities and communities.

Factor of divisions and triggers of conflicts

• Distrust and prejudice based on belonging to a socio-cultural group;
• Poor management of conflicts by leaders and traditional chiefs;
• The collapse of the economic sector and employment in the municipalities;
• Disunity of leaders responsible for bringing the community together around a common interest
  Insufficient transparency in the public management of the authorities;
• Lack of trust between the Defense and Security Forces and the communities;
• Suspicion of community complicity with non-state armed groups;
• Restriction of individual and collective freedoms by imposing a state of security emergency;
• Ignorance of the importance of safety precautions and civic obligations by some community members and Inappropriate behavior of certain FDS elements in relation to their mission.

Baseline for performance indicators

• Indicator 1: 34% of target community members say young people are taking steps to become active and positive members.
• Indicator 1.1: 36% of targeted youth believe they can meaningfully engage with their peers in a non-adversarial and non-violent way.

Recommendations for taking gender into account

• Due to its social and economic ambitions, the “On est ensemble” project must maintain a watchful eye on the involvement of women in the implementation of its interventions.

Recommendation for strengthening positive youth engagement

• Analyze the needs of young people and take their opinions into account to increase their commitment to social cohesion between community groups in each municipality.

Recommendations for strengthening dialogue

• It emerges from this analysis that the collaboration between the young people of the communities in conflict is weak and the omnipresent mistrust. For several other reasons, previous projects have missed their objectives because members of minority and/or marginalized communities have not been involved, severely limiting the impact of the results.

This entry was posted in Africa, Evaluations and tagged Niger, Niger Evaluations, Resilience of young people in the face of violent extremism in the Sahel, Tillabéri on October 18, 2022.

Baseline report project « Adalci ! Niger Human Rights and Access to Justice Activity »

The Adalci project aims to strengthen justice pathways to reduce vulnerability to violent extremism (VE) by improving tools to address the core grievances that fuel extremism, in the country’s three main hotbeds of instability: Diffa, Tahoua and Tillaberi.

Niger Human Rights and Access to Justice Activity, this 4-year program (September 15 2020 until September 14 2024) will seek to strengthen pathways to justice with the goal of reducing vulnerability to VE by strengthening tools to address core grievances that drive extremism in VE prone areas in Niger.

Prior to the start of project activities, a baseline assessment was planned. The objective of this baseline study is to establish a baseline situation on the indicators defined by the project. It consists of measuring the current state of access to justice and the level of knowledge of their rights by the populations of the region, and to provide information on the relevance of the approach to the context.

The main results of this baseline assessment are structured under the following key points:

Conflict dynamics analysis

• The different types of conflicts cited in the three regions are: Those linked to Boko Haram (BH) (75% of respondents), terrorism, farmers / farmers (55% of respondents), farmers / herders (45% of respondents), conflicts between young people (these are conflicts of young people in fadas called palaces) (25% of respondents), armed conflicts linked to attacks by non-state armed groups (NSAG) (95% of respondents). Farmer / farmer and herders / farmers conflicts are common to all municipalities. Conflicts related to BH and youth conflicts are unique to the Diffa region

Gender inequality and social exclusion

• Niger recognizes equal access to justice for all. However, this assessment reveals that social constraints (the place and role of women, misinterpretation of religion, etc.) are the main causes of social inequality. This situation is stronger in rural areas than in urban areas. Certain categories of the population: women (55% of respondents) and young people (60% of respondents) do not always file complaints with the judicial authorities. In addition to social constraints, one must consider the geographical and social distance (justice, gendarmes in rural areas), the lack of knowledge of the formal judicial services and the cost for the communities. The majority of people surveyed (65%) rely much more on traditional justice services (village and canton chiefs).

Reducing Inequality and Promoting Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI)

• The data reveal that by acting on social charges and the cost of transport by promoting the establishment of communal and community reference structures.

Baseline for performance indicators

• Indicator 1: 32% of respondents who generally refer to traditional chiefs in case of legal problems are satisfied with the problems solved and 68% for those who refer to administrative authorities and justice institutions.
• Indicator 3: 42% of the respondents affirm the inclusive and receptive character of decisions relating to the mediation of local conflicts.
• Indicator 4: 25% of traditional leaders and other community mediators surveyed who claim to be better equipped to resolve disputes in their communities.
• Indicator 5: 19% of respondents demonstrate knowledge of local conventions in their communities as a tool for dispute resolution, all the same the interviewees confirmed that local conventions (dispute resolution procedures) are not better suited to settle some conflicts.
• Indicators 6: 33% of respondents are aware of community conflict mediation systems as a tool for conflict resolution.
• Indicator 7: 25% of the respondents (CSO representatives) we met say they have a real need for documentation and office equipment to carry out their mission.

This entry was posted in Africa, Evaluations and tagged Diffa, Lac Tchad Bassin, Liptako-Gourma, Niger, Niger Evaluations, Niger Human Rights and Access to Justice Activity in Sahel, Tahoua, Tillabéri on October 18, 2022.

Evaluation Baseline Projet “Contribuer à la stabilisation des communes frontalières des régions de Tillabéri et Tahoua au Niger”

Search Niger is implementing the project “Mu Gina Gobé! Let’s build tomorrow!”, an 18-month project funded by the European Union through the Instrument Contributing to Stability and Peace (ICsP). It aims to lay the foundations for long-term stabilization of the northern border municipalities of Tillabéri and Tahoua.

This project contributes to the effort of the Government of Niger and other technical and financial partners to contribute to increased stabilization in the municipalities affected by the exactions and armed attacks of non-state armed groups (NSAG).

The baseline study conducted at the beginning of the project highlighted the different types of conflicts affecting peace and stability in the region: armed conflicts linked to attacks by NSAG(70%), conflicts between farmers and herders (10%), conflicts between young people (8%) and SGBV (12%). The resurgence of conflicts in the project areas affects children, young people, women and men differently. While men are more affected by the risk of assassination by NSAG, insecurity and risks related to civilian protection have other effects on women: economic, social, and institutional. Concerning accountability for project activities, the project can build on dynamics that already exist, but needs to ensure inclusion of diverse community members and capacity building of key stakeholders to play their role in reporting back to communities.

In this context, there is a certain level of trust and collaborative relationships with security forces and among communities, but not among the majority of respondents. 35% of respondents declared increased collaboration between the population, FDS and authorities in security management. 55% of the respondents perceive that the FDS are essential partners for their security and protection, but only 25% of respondents say they are satisfied with the relevant services (e.g. protection) offered by the FDS. 40% of respondents say their municipality has micro-projects/initiatives that promote collaboration between them and the authorities. Finally, 35% of respondents demonstrate confidence in their community’s ability to respond to conflict, and 40% report having interacted with other community groups.

This entry was posted in Africa, Evaluations and tagged Niger, Niger Evaluations on June 1, 2022.

Evaluation finale projet “Jeunesse, paix et sécurité” Diffa

The project “Youth, Peace and Security,” funded by the Federal Republic of Germany, was implemented by Search Niger in Diffa from July 1, 2019 to July 31, 2021. Its overall objective was to strengthen community resilience and response to violent extremism and community conflict in Diffa.

The project sought to support the Government of Niger to build a more inclusive, bottom-up and participatory community engagement process for the promotion of peace and stability in the Diffa region.

The project contributed to improve social cohesion and the reduction of inter- and intra-community tensions through exchange platforms and the revitalization of local structures put in place by the Haute Autorité pour la Consolidation de la Paix (HACP) to prevent and manage conflicts. 88.69% of the respondents believe that collaboration is good or perfect in their community. 98.13% believe that young people have the ability to interact with other young people from different cultures in a non-violent way. The project also contributed to strengthening the contribution of young men and women to peace and stability in Diffa. 82.47% of the respondents believe that the level of contribution of young people, women and marginalized groups is strong and very strong. The evaluation notes that young people and women are powerful vectors for peacebuilding, provided that they are accompanied, including through income-generating activities. Youth continued to be engaged beyond project’s activities, highlighting their commitment to working for peace in their communities. Media programming was also an effective tool to support the project goals: 95.65% of the respondents agree that the programs broadcast aim to prevent violent extremism and promote peace.

This entry was posted in Africa, Evaluations and tagged Niger, Niger Evaluations on June 1, 2022.

Final Evaluation – Jandeniyo! Let’s Talk About It – April 2021

The project “Jandeniyo! Let’s Talk About It! – An Initiative to support the Disengagement and Reintegration of Former Combatants and Violent Extremist Group Affiliates in Niger” was implemented by Search Niger in the Diffa region from April 2018 to June 2021, with support from the United State Department Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations (CSO).

The project aimed to increase positive information, insight, and perspectives on key issues related to voluntary disengagement from violent extremist groups and peaceful reinsertion of ex-combatants, and to diversify and strengthen information sharing mechanisms for issues relating to the voluntary disengagement from violent extremist groups and the peaceful reinsertion of ex-combatants in Diffa.

The evaluation highlights the effective reach of the project. 86% of repentant respondents say they have seen a message at least once, and 45% at least twice. Overall, the message has reached the “front lines,” which is an important mark of effectiveness in a context of insecurity and hard to reach target locations. Messages shared had a significant impact on disengagement. 62% said they were assured that there was a way back and 66% said messaging facilitated their return. Messages especially fostered understanding of the surrender and the reintegration process. The evaluation also shows that most of the community members are willing to accept the reintegration of repentant individuals, with high level (above 80%) of willingness to forgive and work together. 71% of repentant respondents also highlighted how the project contributed to improve their perception of the authorities, showing the strong contribution of the project to improving institutional legitimacy.

This entry was posted in Africa, Evaluations and tagged Niger, Niger Evaluations on March 1, 2022.