West and Central Africa: United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and United Nations Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) pool their efforts to strengthen peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders and ensure the sustainable management of transhumance
The United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and for Central Africa (UNOCA) organized a workshop on strengthening peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders and the proper management of transhumance from 26 to 27 February 2025 in Dakar. More than thirty participants from several countries in these two sub-regions, including members of civil society organizations, as well as representatives of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), the Climate Commission for the Sahel region, NORCAP, United Nations and technical and financial partners, took part in the workshop.
At the opening ceremony, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations and Head of UNOWAS, Leonardo Santos Simão, recalled the importance of the workshop, stressing that it "presents a unique opportunity for us to reflect on and tackle one of the most critical challenges of our time: fostering peaceful coexistence, sustainable livelihoods, and shared prosperity between farmers and herders." He added that "Transboundary transhumance poses significant governance challenges, particularly when land tenure systems and regulatory frameworks are not well-structured. If not properly managed, these tensions can escalate into broader security threats, affecting social cohesion and regional stability."
The discussions highlighted the complexity and interdependence of the interactions between herders and farmers, while highlighting the multiple factors that influence these dynamics in West and Central Africa. Participants also addressed key issues such as competition for access to natural resources (land, water, pasture), seasonal livestock migrations, and rural land management policies, which shape not only these interactions, but also regional governance.
The exchanges led to the development of a work plan of the Community of Practice on Farmer-Pastoralist Dynamics in West and Central Africa was adopted. This plan precisely defines the objectives of the "Community" as well as the main thematic axes to be explored. It also includes priority actions, specific activities, an implementation timeline, the partners involved, as well as monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.
In addition, the participants made recommendations to promote peaceful cohabitation between farmers and herders, and to prevent conflicts related to access to resources and the mobility of livestock. They advocated, among other things, for a harmonization of ECOWAS and ECCAS approaches, with a focus on strategic priorities such as the development of resilient agriculture, economic diversification, geopolitical dynamics and sustainable financing.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS).
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Dubai Eye
15 hours ago
- Dubai Eye
Rwanda quits Central African bloc in dispute with Congo
Rwanda has said it would withdraw from the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), underscoring diplomatic tensions in the region over an offensive this year by Rwanda-backed M23 rebels in eastern Congo. Kigali had expected to assume the chairmanship of the 11-member bloc at a meeting on Saturday in Equatorial Guinea. Instead, the bloc kept Equatorial Guinea in the role, which Rwanda's foreign ministry denounced as a violation of its rights. Rwanda, in a statement, condemned Congo's "instrumentalization" of the bloc and saw "no justification for remaining in an organization whose current functioning runs counter to its founding principles." It wasn't clear if Rwanda's exit from the bloc would take immediate effect. The office of Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi said in a statement that ECCAS members had "acknowledged the aggression against the Democratic Republic of Congo by Rwanda and ordered the aggressor country to withdraw its troops from Congolese soil." M23 seized eastern Congo's two largest cities earlier this year, with the advance leaving thousands dead and raising concerns of an all-out regional war. African leaders along with Washington and Doha have been trying to broker a peace deal. Congo, the UN and Western powers accuse Rwanda of supporting M23 by sending troops and weapons. Rwanda has long denied helping M23, saying its forces were acting in self-defence against Congo's army and ethnic Hutu militiamen linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide that killed around 1 million people, mostly ethnic Tutsis. US President Donald Trump's administration hopes to strike a peace accord between Congo and Rwanda that would also facilitate billions in Western investment in the region, which is rich in minerals including tantalum, gold, cobalt, copper and lithium. ECCAS was established in the 1980s to foster cooperation in areas like security and economic affairs among its member states.
Zawya
a day ago
- Zawya
The Intergovernmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) celebrates Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) day and the 50th anniversary of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Senegal
On the 28th of May,1975, the Founding Fathers of ECOWAS signed the Lagos Treaty, which has undergone revisions over the years to adapt to environmental changes. The Community Institution has combined economic integration, regional stability, free movement, peace and security, inclusive and sustainable development, and the promotion of democracy. The activities to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the Institution are held on the 28th of May, 2025, after the launch on the 22nd of April, 2025, in Accra, Ghana. The Intergovernmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA), in collaboration with the ECOWAS Gender Development Centre (EGDC), the ECOWAS Resident Representative in Senegal, the National ECOWAS Office in Senegal, along with ECOWAS Ambassadors, invited guests from the embassies of the United States of America, France, Lebanon, the Delegation of the European Union and the staff of all ECOWAS Institutions in Senegal, commemorated the Celebration of the institutions 50th Anniversary on the 3rd of June, 2025, in Dakar, Senegal. The program revolved around interventions from the Permanent Resident Representative of ECOWAS in Senegal, HE. Mrs. Zelma Yollande NOBRE FASSINOU, Mrs. Aïta GUEYE DIALLO from the ECOWAS National Office and the GIABA National Correspondent in Senegal. The Director General of GIABA, Mr. Edwin W. HARRIS Jr., delivered the message for the 50th anniversary of ECOWAS. These speeches recalled the reasons for the establishment of the Institution, highlighted its achievements, the roles of Member States and the Community in building this Institution, transitioning it from ECOWAS of States to ECOWAS of People. They also mentioned the challenges that mark the Institution's path and shared perspectives to strengthen the Community's resilience around its values. The ECOWAS Vision 2050 was also presented to the audience for better understanding and ownership. The audience was invited to uphold the Vision of the Founding Fathers through an unwavering commitment to inclusive and sustainable development on a daily basis. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Zawya
2 days ago
- Zawya
Special Representative Simão Concludes Visit to Guinea, Reaffirms United Nations Commitment to Supporting a Peaceful and Inclusive Transition
The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Mr. Leonardo Santos Simão, concluded yesterday a three-day visit to Conakry, Guinea. The purpose of this visit was to continue discussions with the transitional authorities to provide effective support for their efforts toward a return to constitutional order. To this end, Special Representative Simão held a series of important meetings with key transitional leaders. He notably met with the President of the National Transitional Council, the Prime Minister, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Integration and Guineans Abroad, the Minister for the Promotion of Women, Children and Vulnerable Persons, as well as the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Decentralization. He also met with representatives of the United Nations country team and members of the diplomatic corps. The discussions covered various topics related to the transition process, the regional situation, and United Nations support. The Special Representative praised the continued commitment of the transitional authorities to a return to constitutional order and urged the international community to support Guinea's efforts in this regard. He also encouraged all Guinean stakeholders to strengthen the spirit of dialogue, justice, and social cohesion. While commending the work of the UN country team, the Special Representative reaffirmed the United Nations' commitment to supporting a peaceful and inclusive transition, in collaboration and synergy with the Guinean authorities, ECOWAS, and various partners. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS).
