The complexities and sensitivities surrounding the climate crisis, population growth, urbanisation, and evolving socio-economic and political systems are increasingly exacerbating the competition for natural resources, such as arable land and water, among farmers and transhumant herders across West and Central Africa. These issues have continued to linger, leading to conflicts, loss of life and property, destruction of livelihoods, as well as internal and cross-border displacements.
The communities affected are mostly rural, creating cyclical shocks that threaten the existence of the people and their communities.
This requires governments and leaders (backed by strong political will) across borders to work together to address the immediate challenges and find sustainable solutions to stop reoccurrence. Governments of the affected countries will need to understand the historical contexts, exchange regional data and information, share best practices and develop coordinated policy, regulatory and security interventions for the affected countries across the region.
