event 08 juil. 2021

FREXUS Project // Analysis of Conflicts Related to Natural Resource Management around Farrey and Karel Pastoral Areas, Dosso/Niger.

The Frexus project "Improving security and climate resilience in a fragile context through the Water-Energy-Food Security Nexus", in collaboration with the ZFD, organized from June 8 to 9, 2021, at the Galaxy Hotel in Dosso, a workshop to present and discuss the result of the study on “Conflict Analysis around the Karel and Farrey grazing areas", in the Dosso region of Niger.

Photo de Lancement des travaux de latelier

Photo from the workshop launch. © GIZ/Frexus

This study that analysed conflicts related to natural resources management is part of the Frexus project jointly funded by the European Union and the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by GIZ. The Niger Basin Authority (NBA) is the main implementing partner of the Frexus project in Niger and Mali.

The Frexus project, implemented in Niger, Mali and Chad, aims to work towards a peaceful resolution of social tensions/conflicts in fragile areas between population groups that are caused or exacerbated by climate change. To this end, the project works towards a more conflict- and climate-resilient management of land, natural resources and ecosystems in the targeted communities, taking into account the needs of vulnerable groups (women and youth) through the application of Nexus approaches at local, national and transboundary levels. In this context, it aims to enable authorities and communities in fragile areas facing the consequences of climate change impacts to address these issues in a peaceful, cooperative and integrated manner.

The workshop brought together fifty participants, mainly administrative authorities (representative of the Governor of the Dosso region, President of the Dosso Regional Council, the Senior Divisional officer of the Falmey Division, mayors of the communes), traditional and religious authorities, defence and security forces, Magistrates, technical officials from the decentralised services of the state, and associations of agricultural producers, as well as livestock breeders and representatives of the High Authority for Peacebuilding.

The main objective of the workshop was to present the results of the conflict analysis study and to create a framework for exchanges between the different actors to consider the major concerns of all stakeholders. The specific objectives of this workshop are:

  • To present the study on the analysis of conflicts in the Dosso region around the grazing areas of Karel-Koissi (commune of Falmèye) and Farrey (commune of Farrey)
  • Discuss the causes of conflicts and the issues and challenges related to them and share experiences on local governance in general and on natural resource management at regional and local levels in particular
  • To map the key actors involved in conflicts and discuss the power relations and interests between them
  • Discuss peace factors and entry points for alternative solutions to the conflicts in Karel-Koissi and Farrey
  • To make recommendations to the project and its partners on the structuring, modelling and functioning of inclusive and participatory dialogue spaces.

The Divisional Officer of the Falmey Division, representing the Governor of the Dosso region, officially opened the workshop meeting in the presence of representatives of the Honourable Sultan of Dosso, the Honourable Chief of the Canton of Birni G'aouré and several village chiefs. The work event was chaired by the President of the Regional Council of Dosso.

Presentation of the results of the study on conflict analysis. © GIZ/Frexus
Presentation of the results of the study on conflict analysis. © GIZ/Frexus

Following the presentation of the results of the study, open and interactive exchanges enabled participants to share their experiences and contribute to the improvement of the content of the study by considering the concerns of all socio-professional groups. In addition, the results of the study were translated into local languages for better participation of all stakeholders.

Feedback sessions with the participants. © GIZ/Frexus
Feedback sessions with the participants. © GIZ/Frexus
Feedback sessions with the participants. © GIZ/Frexus
Feedback sessions with the participants. © GIZ/Frexus

To deepen the understanding of conflict issues around natural resource management in Dosso, mixed panels composed of different socio-professional groups were set up for thematic work sessions. Three rounds of group discussions were held to discuss the following topics:

First work series

Panel 1 and 2 :

  • Typology of community conflicts in the Dosso region
  • The place of land conflicts and their relationship with community conflicts
Discussion panels © GIZ/Frexus
Discussion panels © GIZ/Frexus

Panel 3 and 4:

Typology of actors in land conflict

  • Identification and presentation of the different types of conflict actors prevalent in the communities;
  • Case of institutional actors (direct and indirect);
  • Case of non-institutional actors (direct and indirect)
  • Case of direct victims
  • Case of indirect victims

Dynamics of land conflicts

  • Premises of the conflict;
  • Origin of the conflict
  • Development of the conflict (escalation or appeasement)
  • End of the conflict (resolution or persistent crisis)

Second work series

Panel 1 and 2:

  • Dialogue as a framework for conflict resolution
  • Inventory of existing frameworks
  • Analysis of the functioning and performance of existing frameworks
  • Good practice cases
Discussion panels © GIZ/Frexus
Discussion panels © GIZ/Frexus

Panel 3 and 4:

  • Different dialogue actors and their levels of intervention

Third work series

Panel 1, 2,3 and 4:

Perspectives for effective dialogue frameworks, specifying the formats of these frameworks, their scales of intervention and the main actors to be involved.

Discussion panel. © GIZ/Frexus
Discussion panel. © GIZ/Frexus

Thus, the focus group discussion has helped to improve the results of the local analysis of conflicts regarding natural resources. This analysis represents a first step towards the establishment of a framework for inclusive and participatory dialogue that represents the next step in activities. A local climate risk analysis is also underway.

The workshop was officially closed by the Senior Divisional Officer of the Dosso Region on a note of satisfaction and in a calm atmosphere. The administrative and traditional authorities thanked the European Union and the BMZ, through the Frexus project and the ZFD, which made it possible to carry out this study, which is so important for the sustainable development of peace and security consolidation actions in the region. The participants also praised the efforts of the Frexus project and the ZFD for having contributed to increasing their knowledge of the issues and dynamics of conflicts related to natural resource management.

To read this article in French, click here.

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