Abstract

Armed Violence Reduction and Prevention (AVRP) is an emerging paradigm that builds on the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration approach and extends it even further. AVRP considers the impacts of armed violence on social and economic development and, vice-versa, the lack of development as a cause of armed violence. In opposition to the disarmament-only approach, the AVRP perspective deems that lasting peace and security can only be achieved through the combination of the reduction of poverty, the promotion of human rights and sustainable development. This paper analyses this new approach in the scope of the most recent theories of peacekeeping and peace-building. Moreover, it will be argued that, according to the available data on armed violence, arms trafficking and DDR programs, Nigeria would strongly benefit from an AVRP program like the one that has been developed in other countries including Brazil and El Salvador. The analysis of the Nigerian ethno-religious conflict is based on theories from Ricoeur, Larsson, and others on identity - and religious - based conflicts. This analysis provides the foundations for deducing that AVRP and the establishment of a culture of peace and respect of religious diversity is imperative. This paper will conclude by proposing different spheres of recommended actions to achieve reconciliation between religious communities and lasting peace in the country.