A landmark step toward sustainable peace was recorded on Friday as women from conflict-affected communities in Plateau and Kaduna States signed a Women-led Cross-Border Comprehensive Peace Agreement.
The signing ceremony, held on April 10, 2026, at Jonggrand Hotel in Jos, brought together key stakeholders from Riyom and Bassa Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Plateau State, and Kaura and Kauru LGAs of Kaduna State.
The initiative, organized by the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue in collaboration with the Plateau State Peace Building Agency, Supported by GiZ aims to strengthen peacebuilding efforts and foster cooperation across the affected border communities.
The event attracted government officials, traditional and religious leaders, civil society partners, and women leaders, all gathered to endorse the agreement developed through months of dialogue and community engagement.
Providing an overview of the peace process, Senior National Expert Adviser of the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, Samuel Godongs, emphasized the critical role of women in conflict resolution. He noted that women and children bear the brunt of violent conflicts, underscoring the need to include women in peace negotiations.
Godongs explained that the agreement emerged from a joint steering committee representing the four LGAs after a series of trainings and facilitated dialogues. He stressed that while the signing marks a major milestone, it signals the beginning of implementation rather than the end of conflict challenges.
Former Minister of Water Resources, Sarah Ochekpe, highlighted the importance of women’s inclusion in peacebuilding processes. She noted that the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue has been active in Plateau State since 2013, promoting dialogue among communities.
According to her, the women-led initiative, introduced last year, has empowered participants to identify and document actionable steps to promote peace within their communities. She urged stakeholders to move beyond signing agreements and ensure practical implementation.
Also speaking, Country Manager of the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, Chris Agoha, represented by Ahmed Yassin, described the agreement as the culmination of months of dialogue driven by community women and stakeholders.
He explained that the process involved conflict assessments, stakeholder consultations, and mediated dialogues addressing key issues such as farmer-herder clashes, boundary disputes, criminality, and resource-based conflicts.
Agoha noted that women’s leadership has been transformative in shaping the agreement, ensuring it reflects the needs and aspirations of affected communities. He, however, stressed that the success of the initiative depends on sustained implementation, collective ownership, and continuous dialogue.
In her remarks, Director General of the Plateau State Peace Building Agency, Julie Sanda, represented by Adanchi Wiamana, described the event as a celebration of women’s leadership and resilience in peacebuilding.
She reiterated the agency’s commitment to inclusive peace processes, emphasizing that lasting peace cannot be achieved without the active participation of women as leaders and decision-makers.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Caroline Plangnan Dafur, represented by the Director of Child Welfare, Sunday Dombim, described the event as a unique occasion where women are at the forefront of driving the peace process. He urged participants to ensure sustainability of the initiative by reaching out to others and expanding the peacebuilding efforts within their communities.
The agreement is expected to address longstanding issues across the border communities, including land disputes, insecurity, and social tensions, while promoting cooperation and peaceful coexistence.
The event concluded with the nomination and inauguration of a joint implementation committee tasked with overseeing the execution of the agreement and ensuring its sustainability across the four LGAs.
