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The Dynamics of Herder-Farmer Conflicts in Plateau State, Nigeria, and Central Darfur State, Sudan
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 17 May 2024
Abstract
Drawing on their own field studies, the authors examine how state and local actors involved in resource management and peacebuilding activities are implicated in the conflict between farmers and herders in Plateau State, Nigeria, and Central Darfur State, Sudan. The authors show that state officials, traditional chiefs, and security agents intensified the conflict by perpetuating the inequitable distribution of resources needed for the survival of farmers and herders, while promoting a peacebuilding process that empowered some groups and disempowered others. The divisive role state and local actors played accentuated the socio-political grievances underlying the conflict and enervated the peacebuilding process.
Résumé
S’appuyant sur leurs propres études de terrain, les auteurs examinent comment les acteurs étatiques et locaux engagés dans la gestion des ressources et les activités de consolidation de la paix sont impliqués dans le conflit entre agriculteurs et éleveurs dans l’État du Plateau, au Nigeria et dans l’État du Darfour central, au Soudan. Babatunde et Osman montrent que les représentants de l’État, les chefs traditionnels et les agents de sécurité ont intensifié le conflit en perpétuant la distribution inéquitable des ressources nécessaires à la survie des agriculteurs et des éleveurs, tout en promouvant un processus de consolidation de la paix qui a donné du pouvoir à certains groupes et en a privé d’autres. Le rôle de division joué par l’État et les acteurs locaux a accentué les griefs sociopolitiques sous-jacents au conflit et a affaiblit le processus de consolidation de la paix.
Resumo
Partindo do trabalho de campo realizado pelos próprios autores, este artigo analisa as formas através das quais o Estado e os atores locais envolvidos em atividades de gestão de recursos e de construção da paz estão também implicados no conflito entre agricultores e pastores no estado de Plateau, Nigéria, e no estado de Darfur Central, Sudão. Babatunde e Osman mostram que os responsáveis do Estado, os líderes tradicionais e os agentes de segurança intensificaram o conflito ao perpetuarem uma distribuição desequilibrada dos recursos necessários à subsistência de agricultores e pastores, ao mesmo tempo que promoveram um processo de paz que empoderou alguns grupos mas desempoderou outros. O papel divisivo desempenhado pelo Estado e pelos atores locais agravou os ressentimentos que subjazem ao conflito e prejudicou o processo de paz.
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- © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of African Studies Association
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