PLATEAU STATE BOILS AGAIN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 000820 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM NI SUBJECT: PLATEAU STATE BOILS AGAIN ¶1. Summary: The creation of a new development zone enflamed a long-standing rivalry between two communities in Plateau State, leading to bloody ethnic attacks and counter attacks on April 11-12. Reported casualty figures range from 30 to 100 people. Governor Joshua Dariye imposed a dusk to dawn curfew and sent security personnel to the area, but sources report that smaller-scale skirmishes continued over the Easter weekend in remote rural areas. End Summary. -------------- BACKGROUND TO THE CRISIS -------------- ¶2. According to a source in Jos, the genesis of the current conflict was the decision of Plateau State Government three months ago to elevate Namu, a growing settlement in the Quan Pan Local Government Area to a "Development Area." Namu is close to Yelwa-Shendam and its ownership is hotly contested by two ethnic groups: the Gomai and the Pan (sometimes called Dimak). Yelwa-Shendam has been a hotbed of ethno- religious fighting over the past few years ago, where thousands of lives were lost. ¶3. Both the Gomai and Pan ethnic groups include Muslims, Christians and followers of traditional religions. The Pan allege that the Gomai are "settlers" and claim that the small town historically belonged to them. Therefore, they argue that the leadership of the new territorial entity must be appointed from the Pan ethnic group. The Gomai, on the other hand, vehemently dispute the Pan's claim, pointing out other historical evidence of their longstanding presence in the region. The present traditional leader of Namu, Sanusi Allah Yananan, is himself a Gomai. A panel of inquiry headed by Justice Constance Momoh was set up by the state government to verify the claims made by both sides about ownership of the town. ¶4. The current crisis was fueled by a combination of the historic Pan-Gomai rivalry and new rumors circulating among these communities that Justice Momoh Panel had upheld the Gomai's claim of Namu ownership, understandably raising the tensions. -------------- IMMEDIATE CAUSE -------------- ¶5. The proximate cause of the bloodshed was more mundane. On April 10 a Gomai man collected some sand from land belonging to a Pan man without permission. This led to heated argument and fisticuffs. The Pan quickly called on his kinsmen to join in the fighting, where they physically attacked and chased the Gomai from the town. The traditional ruler of Gomai, Yananan, has temporarily relocated to Jos. A source said the Pan also invited the Taroks ethnic militias to help them in "wiping out" their neighbors. Several villages in the disputed area have been affected by the crisis. Other smaller ethnic groups like Hausa, Angas and Eggu also suffered casualties. -------------- GOVERNMENT RESPONSE -------------- ¶6. Plateau government sources admitted there was a conflict near Namu, but quickly maintained that the violence been nipped in the bud. The government says it has taken precautionary steps to prevent the crisis spreading to other parts of the state. The government has imposed a dusk to dawn curfew in the area and the security agents have been mobilized. However, contrary to government's position, there are reports saying the conflict has subsided, though skirmishes are still occurring in some remote areas. -------------- CASUALTIES -------------- ¶7. Various media sources reported that about 100 people were killed, but independent sources in Jos put the figures between 30 to 40 people. The government claimed the casualty figures were exaggerated by the media and says that 10 to 20 people lost their lives during the violence. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶8. The creation of new local governments and development areas by state governments in Nigeria has led to violence in many communities. Although the governments averred their action was meant to develop the areas by "bringing the third tier of the government closer to the people," often governments deliberately manipulate certain variables like the location of the headquarters of these new territorial entities to gain political advantage. CAMPBELL