BOBO-DIOULASSO — The Association for the Promotion of Livestock in the Sahel and Savanna (APESS) conducted a workshop from May 7 to 10, 2024, in Bobo-Dioulasso, focusing on the establishment of a multi-actor innovation platform for natural resource management and conflict prevention (PI-GRN) in the Hauts-Bassins region.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the High Commissioner of the Tuy province and the representative of the governor of Hauts-Bassins, the workshop marked a significant step towards the regional management of natural resources and addressing vulnerabilities in cross-border transhumance. The gathering aimed to validate collected data, set up the Hauts-Bassins PI-GRN, and develop an action plan for this new platform.
Segda highlighted the economic importance of mobile livestock systems and their role in regional integration. However, he pointed out the challenges such as the carriage of war weapons, theft of cattle, and the resurgence of banditry that increase the vulnerability of these systems. He emphasized that these issues foster distrust among transhumants, farmers, and different communities, which exacerbates conflicts over natural resource use in cross-border areas.
The newly established PI-GRN aims to facilitate regional dialogue and respect for legislative texts as solutions to mitigate these violent conflicts. These platforms serve not only as venues for discussion but also as environments where stakeholders can test solutions to shared challenges.
Ahmadou Dicko, the president of APESS and also Emir of Baraboulé, stated that the ultimate goal is to convene a general assembly of all actors involved in the PI-GRN to address ongoing issues between farmers and breeders, compounded by regional insecurity. The initiative is supported by the Peaceful Cross-Border Pastoral Mobility and Social Stability in the Sahel (MOPSS) program and the Regional Project to Support Pastoralism in the Sahel (PRAPS), highlighting a collaborative effort to improve conditions in the region.