The AU-SAFGRAD has concluded a three-day workshop focused on the development of the Framework on Indigenous Conflicts Prevention and Management Mechanisms between Pastoralists and Farmers in the Continent, which was held from 22-24 August 2023, in Nairobi, Kenya. The meeting gathered the pastoralist and farmers organizations, experts from Member States, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), specialized institutions and independent experts.  It also benefited from the ideas and experience of representatives of the African Union Commission (AUC) mainly the Department of Political affairs, Peace and Security, the Department of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, The women, Gender and Youth department as well as representatives of academic and research institutions.     

In the opening Ceremony, Dr Huyam Salih, AU- IBAR Director Welcomed the participants and stressed the need to pursue the pastoralism development agenda on the continent. She also heighted the importance of the collaboration between AU-SAFGRAD and AU-IBAR in capitalizing on the strength of the two offices.

In his opening remarks, Dr Ahmed Elmekass, the Coordinator of AU-SAFGRAD, stated that the Heads of State and Government has always put farmers and pastoralists in front of its development Agenda. He also pointed out the important role of pastoralism in achieving the agenda 2063 goals. Similarly, he presented the efforts done by AU-SAFGRAD including the Guidelines on conflict prevention in pastoralism that was endorsed by the AU Executive council in 2022.

The workshop examined the role of traditional conflict resolution mechanism in handling conflict to maintain peace and stability. The workshop intended to utilize case policy national and regional analysis - approach, expert view’s and field experiences from different locations to build the foundation of the framework.

At the end of the workshop the in-depth analysis of the farmer-pastoralist related conflicts including their typology, some of the common root cause as well as some well proven indigenous prevention and management tools were shared among the participants.

For further information, please contact:

• Mr Mamadou Koutou; Programme and Research Officer, AU-SAFGRAD; Koutoum@africa-union.org  

For media inquiries, please contact:

• Mr Molalet Tsedeke, Information and Communications Directorate; AU Commission Tel: 0911 630631; Email: molalett@africa-union.org

Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org  
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