Trans-Sahara Counter Terrorism (TSC) Project
Department
Pecebuilding
Duration
2022 – 2024
Funder
Embassy of the United States of America
Location(s)
Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara
About Project
The TSC project operates in Northwest Nigeria, addressing the security challenges of one of Nigeria’s most economically strained regions. This area faces increasing competition over essential resources like land, food, and water, often with ethnic divisions fueling tensions. The region’s notorious ‘farmer–herder conflict’ perpetuates cycles of violence, forcing many residents to flee in the face of armed groups labeled ‘bandits.’ Currently, displacement figures reach approximately 95,000 in Sokoto, 160,000 in Zamfara, and 232,000 in Katsina, totalling nearly half a million individuals.
The TSC project focuses on two core objectives to address these challenges. First, it prioritises conflict prevention by establishing an early warning and response system. This mechanism draws on the insights of government bodies and traditional leaders to detect early signs of conflict and implement preventive actions. Second, TSC is committed to de-escalating existing conflicts through grassroots involvement. Recognising the importance of local engagement, the project has formed peace and reconciliation committees led by traditional leaders, with representation from marginalised groups such as women and youth. These committees foster an inclusive approach to peacebuilding and have effectively mediated disputes that otherwise would have escalated to formal legal action, helping to achieve resolutions satisfactory to all involved parties.
The TSC project exemplifies Neem Foundation’s commitment to sustainable peace in Nigeria, demonstrating the power of local engagement and early intervention.