Peace Talks - Nigeria

Peace Talks broadcasts discussions about current issues related to conflict and crisis in the region. These discussions, which take place between listeners and experts every Friday morning, also focus on strategies for seeking peace, democracy, and sustainable development. Listeners are encouraged to ask questions and make suggestions via telephone and letters. The discussions are taped to be used as future training materials.

During breaks in the discussion, Peace Talks broadcasts music with lyrics that advocate peace. For example, radio discussions about the proceedings of the 1999 Hague Appeal for Peace were interspersed with peace-related music.

Conflict, Political Development.

For more than two decades, Nigeria was ruled by military forces. During that time, the country was plagued by violence and dictatorship. People were killed and the economy was adversely impacted. The damage done by that period of governance, particularly to the oil-bearing communities of the Niger Delta, has generated bottled-up grievances powerful enough to inspire further conflict. This situation has been exacerbated by a slow rate of development in the region. Youth close oil-flow stations, kidnap workers, and fight amongst themselves.

In this context, Peace Talks seeks to educate people about peace in an effort to bring democratic principles to the area. Preliminary reports indicate that people are beginning to question their actions and to advocate reconciliation in their churches, offices, and homes.