Farmer-herder clashes threat to West Africa – Deputy Senate President warns, seeks regional action

Barau Jibrin, Deputy President of the Senate and First Deputy Speaker of the Economic Community of West Africa States, has cautioned that farmer-herder conflicts in West Africa could lead to displacement, banditry, terrorism and humanitarian crises. He addressed this at the ECOWAS Parliament's Second Extraordinary Session and Seminar in Accra, Ghana.

Jibrin emphasized that Nigeria's experience offers valuable lessons for the region. Nigeria, with its vast agricultural and pastoral economies, has seen conflicts arise from the strain on land and water resources, leading to issues like banditry and terrorism. To address this, Nigeria has established the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction to handle emergency relief for internally displaced persons.

This approach aligns with a global shift from short-term aid to development-oriented solutions. Jibrin also highlighted Nigeria's participation in the UN's Action Agenda on Internally Displaced Persons and its adherence to the African Union's Kampala Convention. Despite these efforts, over three million Nigerians remain in IDP camps.

Jibrin called for coordinated efforts among various government bodies and traditional institutions to monitor early warning signs, prevent conflicts, and adapt to climate change. He also advocated for investments in ranching and livestock management to reduce the pressures on limited resources.