Land is often the source of violent, sometimes bloody, conflicts between rural communities in Cote d’Ivoire. This is what reveals a study conducted by the Ivorian civic society convention (CSCI) and Ngo Concordis International with the support of the European Union, in the framework of a project entitled “Promoting the inclusive participation of the Ivorian civic society in the national reconciliation and social cohesion process through populations’ participation in democracy in Cote d’Ivoire”.

“Land conflicts and conflicts between farmers and herdsmen are the most recurrent in Cote d’Ivoire. These two types of conflicts cause the most violence. Farmers and herdsmen must be trained in modern farming and animal-rearing techniques; transhumance corridors must be re-actualized or reopened; awareness must be raised regarding laws regulating agro-pastoral rural land; make inclusive village committees more dynamic,” said the head of the social cohesion project, Alida Tano, in an interview with local media, Fraternité Matin.

The official said the project lasted 24 months and helped its coordinators and other facilitators to study four regions in Cote d’Ivoire, namely Gbêkê, Gontougo, Poro and Guémon.

Souha Touré