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The herders-farmer crisis in Nigeria has been a long-standing issue that has caused a lot of harm to people and property. The conflict has not only resulted in the loss of lives and property, but it has also caused a rift between different communities, resulting in a lack of trust and cooperation between them. In addressing this crisis, it is crucial to recognize the importance of community-based conflict resolution.

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Community-based conflict resolution is a process where members of the community come together to identify the root causes of the conflict and work towards finding a resolution. This approach involves the participation of all stakeholders, including traditional leaders, religious leaders, women, and youth groups. The process emphasizes dialogue, negotiation, and consensus-building as a means of resolving conflicts.

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In certain regions of Nigeria, particularly the Niger Delta, where it has been applied to resolve conflicts over oil exploration and extraction, community-based conflict resolution has proved effective in resolving disputes. Conflicts in other African nations like Liberia, Sierra Leone, and South Africa have also been successfully resolved using this strategy.

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The inclusion of locals in the decision-making process is one of the key benefits of community-based conflict resolution. This indicates that because the impacted communities were involved in designing the solutions, they are more likely to be accepted by them. In turn, this raises the likelihood that the solutions will be successfully implemented.

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The promotion of social harmony and reconciliation is another benefit of community-based conflict resolution. The technique encourages community members to cooperate by bringing them together, which can serve to ease tensions and foster trust amongst various groups.

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In conclusion, community-based conflict resolution is a successful strategy for resolving the Nigerian herder-farmer dispute. The strategy incorporates all interested parties, places a focus on communication and reaching agreements, and encourages social harmony and reconciliation. All parties involved must cooperate to advance community-based conflict resolution as a means of resolving conflicts and promoting peace and security in affected regions.

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