This briefing paper is one of six on specific topics of importance affecting pastoralists and their livelihood systems in Africa. It supplements the parent document Pastoralism in Africa: A Primer and describes the key elements and issues associated with conflict in pastoralist areas across sub-Saharan Africa.
Conflict associated with pastoralism is increasingly complex and often not well understood. It is sometimes associated with problematic negative narratives suggesting it is inherent to the pastoralist livelihood system, or reflects pastoralists being “backward” compared to people involved in other livelihoods, like agriculture.
However, as the brief explains, weak governance is often at the core of repeated or persistent conflict in pastoralist areas.
The production of this briefing paper was funded by the United States Agency for International Development via Cooperative Agreement No. 7200AA21CA00020, Pastoralism in Africa, to the Feinstein International Center, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University.
