Publication

This brief discusses the causes and implications of the post-election violence in Nigeria in 2011. While the general election received high praise for being well-managed, the post-election violence claimed 800 lives over three days in northern Nigeria, making it the most violent in Nigeria's history. The violence was triggered by a belief that challenger Muhammadu Buhari, a northerner, should have won the election. This brief concludes that the two special commissions established to examine the factors leading to the violence will have limited effect in breaking the cycle of violence unless their reports lead to ending impunity for political violence. In addition, local peacemaking initiatives and local democratic institutions must be strengthened.