ADAM HIGAZI is Research Fellow in African Studies, King's College, Cambridge& Centre of African Studies, University of Cambridge, U.K. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung(FES) Nigeria MUHAMSAID COMM. PRESS 08086070226 DISCUSSION PAPER No. 2, January 2011 Adam Higazi THE JOS CRISIS: A RECURRENT NIGERIAN TRAGEDY Plateau State is currently the main site of ethnic and religious violence in northern Nigeria. The past decade has seen recurrent crises across the state, in urban and rural areas. The dominant discourses in the conflicts refer to political exclusion on the basis of ethnicity and religion, on the Muslim side, and fears of religious and cultural domination, among Plateau Christians. A key issue in the conflicts in Plateau State is the relationship between the state and different sections of the citizenry. The 2011 elections will be a critical moment both for Nigeria and Plateau State. In the interests of peace in Jos and its environs, there needs to be greater political discussion and co-operation between Hausa and Plateau'indigene' political leaders.