Explaining the Protractedness of Communal Conflicts in Nigeria: A Study of Share and Tsaragi Conflict

Due to the economic and symbolic importance of land, conflicts arising from competing claims over land ownership have become one of the leading causes of violent conflict between different communities in Nigeria. The study provides insights into the intricacies of such conflicts through a study of two communities in North-Central Nigeria. Share and Tsaragi are two neighbouring communities that have been engaged in a number of violent conflicts over the ownership of portions of land adjoining both communities. It highlights and discusses the interaction between factors such as social-psycho underpinnings, government interventions and the prolonged nature of the conflict. The aim is to draw attention to less explored drivers or underlying factors of such conflicts particularly the dynamic elements fostering the perpetuation of adversarial relations. The assumptions of the dynamical systems theory provides theoretical base for the study. A qualitative approach with focus on secondary data and deductions from fieldwork in the two communities were adopted for data gathering. The research revealed factors such as government inconsistencies with the management of the conflict, poor social infrastructure and economic inadequacies as contributing to the negative transformation and persistence of the conflict. The interactions between these variables and the substantive issue foster an attractor state receptive to the perpetuation of adversarial relations. In line with the dynamical systems theory, the evolution of the Share/Tsaragi conflict is evidenced through an expansion in the proximate issues that trigger violent confrontations between members of the two communities. The connection between the interpersonal and intergroup levels of conflict manifestation aids the combustible nature of the conflict. For sustainable resolution of the Share/Tsaragi conflict and other similar incidents, an appraisal of the approaches utilised to address these conflicts is recommended, more emphasis should be placed on measures that address the social infrastructure and other interacting variables fostering the longevity of communal conflicts.