In the heart of Senegal, a simmering conflict between farmers and herders has escalated, driven by climate change and resource scarcity. The tragic death of Moussa Diouf, a muezzin and farmer, highlights the growing tensions as communities grapple with the changing environment.
In January, Cheikh Diouf received an urgent call about a confrontation involving his father and a group of herders. By the time he arrived, his father lay dead, reportedly attacked by herders over grazing disputes. “It hurts so much,” Cheikh lamented. “If only I had been there, he wouldn’t have died.”
Impact of Climate Change
West Africa, particularly Senegal, has seen a 27% decrease in annual rainfall over the past 30 years, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service. This reduction has exacerbated tension as herders, like the Peul or Fulani, struggle to find grazing land. Traditionally, these herders move their livestock across vast areas from Senegal to Nigeria to ensure their survival, but this migration is increasingly fraught with conflict.
As herding routes overlap with agricultural areas, disputes arise, especially during the southward migration coinciding with harvest time. Farmers, unable to predict the rains, often face delays that further complicate the situation. The uncontrolled grazing leads to crop damage, and the need for forage drives deforestation and desertification.
Tools of Conflict
The diassi, a small machete, is a common tool among both farmers and herders, used for daily tasks but easily becoming a weapon in disputes. Dr. Yawma Fall from the Ndofane medical center has treated injuries from such clashes, including a young shepherd and a farmer involved in a violent confrontation.
Voices from the Field
Fode Diome, a farmer in Ndofane, acknowledges the longstanding issues. “It’s normal that animals need to eat, but there are specific times when transhumance is allowed,” he explains. However, herders often breach these agreements, leading to conflicts over land use.
For herders like Alioune Sow from Linguere, finding pasture is increasingly challenging due to expanding farmland. “There’s no grass left for the livestock,” he says. “Fields are almost everywhere, so animals wander into them and sometimes get poisoned.”
Path to Resolution
Senegal lacks a centralized system to manage these conflicts, leaving local communities and NGOs to mediate. In Labgar, periodic meetings between farmers and herders are organized to address issues like fires and grazing disputes. Solutions such as marking trails and boundaries have been discussed to ease tensions.
(The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from numerous private foundations. The AP is solely responsible for all content.)
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