In Goudiry, nestled within the Tambacounda region and over 600 km away from Dakar, a pressing challenge emerges: how to ensure peaceful coexistence between herders and farmers? Recognizing the gravity of this matter, the Conseil National de Concertation et de Coopération des Ruraux (CNCR) embarked on an initiative, backed in part by the “Joint Sahel Program in Response to the Challenges of COVID-19, Conflicts, and Climate Change (SD3C)”.
The CNCR undertook a detailed diagnostic to pinpoint the root causes of tensions in this area. The findings were illuminating: from agricultural areas encroaching on pastoral territories, misaligned transhumance cycles with harvests, to acts of sabotage and a shift in the younger generation’s interests towards activities like football.
However, merely identifying the issue was only the beginning. The CNCR swiftly proposed a series of solutions. Among them, the establishment of boundary markers to distinctly separate pastoral areas from agricultural zones. Moreover, the significance of traditional and religious leaders was underscored, with their critical role in fostering dialogue and mediating conflicts, thereby ensuring peaceful coexistence and strengthening social cohesion.
It’s also heartening to note that CNCR’s initiative resonated with local authorities. Leaders in Goudiry enthusiastically mentioned an ongoing project by SAED to develop a Land Use and Development Plan (POAS). Once instituted, this approach promises to structure land use in the region more orderly. Additionally, the involvement of notable figures like Dienaba Sidibé from the National Directorate of Women in Livestock (DINFEL) ensures that efforts won’t be top-down only but will also benefit from local drive and direction.
In conclusion, Goudiry appears to be on the brink of transformation. Through CNCR’s strategic approach and the support from local and regional initiatives, a future where herders and farmers coexist harmoniously isn’t just a distant vision but an emerging reality.
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