Rising Armed Conflicts Spark Severe Humanitarian Crisis
Findings have revealed a significant and alarming increase in armed conflict-related deaths, from 50,000 in 2004 to a staggering 400,000 in 2024, over two decades.
At present, the world witnesses 56 active conflicts ravaging it, so far being the highest recorded since World War 11.
Alarmingly, with 97 countries in the throes of crises, conflicts, and wars the Global Index reveals a 0.5 per cent reduction in global peacefulness.
In his lecture entitled “Introduction to Conflict Resolution Mechanism,” held at the Naval Warfare Course 9 in Calabar, Cross River State, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, Nigeria’s former Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN), painted a gloomy picture of alarming statistics, commenting on the world’s declining peacebuilding.
Gambari said, “There can be no military solutions to most conflicts, particularly intra-state conflicts,” emphasising collaboration in society and institutions.
His comment emphasised a significant failure in world governance and conflict resolution mechanisms. The number of successfully resolved conflicts keeps lowering every year.
To address the situation, Gambari underscored that peace cannot be achieved without transparent, inclusive, and accountable leadership. He added that both military and civil institutions must be strengthened to support peacebuilding efforts.
Speaking further, the renowned academic advised the necessity of training programmes for the Nigerian Navy to equip personnel with conflict resolution skills.
He recommended a ‘sticks and carrots’ approach to combat the external and internal actors who stall the peace process.
‘Spoilers in peace processes are inevitable. Some are homegrown, such as local warlords or political factions, others externally induced, like foreign powers or terrorist groups. The best approach is sticks and carrots,’ he advised.