[4th Plenary Committee Meeting] “Land, Resource, and Conflict in Africa” (January 28, 2012)

Date: January 28, 2012
Venue: Inamori Foundation Memorial Bldg. (Inamori Center), Middle-sized Meeting Room (Room No. 332), Kyoto University

Program

10:15-11:15 Motoki Takahashi/ Hiroki Ohta (Kobe University)
Politics of Property Right: Land Problems, Development and Conflict in Africa
11:15-12:15 Jun Ikeno (Kyoto University)
Policy Changes, Urban Development, and Local Public Goods: Incendiary Factors Concerning “Commons” in Northern Tanzania’s Mwanga Region
12:45-13:45 Shuichi Oyama (Kyoto University)
Conflict Over Land between Farmers and Pastoralists in the Sahel: Rebuilding of Coexistence Relationship Utilizing Local Potential
13:45-14:30
Discussion

Report Overview

Three presentations (one was a joint presentation) were conducted during the 4th general meeting on the current issue of conflict and coexistence over land in various regions across the African continent.

Motoki Takahashi/ Hiroki Ohta (Kobe University)
Politics of Property Right: Land Problems, Development and Conflict in Africa

Africa’s economy is continuing to grow since the beginning of the 21st century, but it is currently in a transitional period. The first presenter, Motoki Takahashi (joint presentation with Hiroki Ohta) stated that the important point to clarify is the direction of this transition. Population increase must be a major focus because the African population is expected to increase 2.5 times from 2010 to 2060. This indicates a societal shift from land abundance to land scarcity in Africa. Resource scarcity has caused a discrepancy where existing policies are unable to cope, and policy adjustments are required to address the exposed differences. The current implementation of individual land possession rights in Kenya, where Takahashi has conducted field research, has led to the exclusion of certain groups and thus caused a scarcity of land for these groups. This may lead to political opposition and conflicts. The construction and implementation of land policy is often also connected to the politicians’ greed. Takahashi stated that it is important to incorporate the indigenous knowledge of coexistence in the creation of African policies, particularly in the new property rights maintenance policy that is presently being developed.

Jun Ikeno (Kyoto University)
Policy Changes, Urban Development, and Local Public Goods: Incendiary Factors Concerning “Commons” in Northern Tanzania’s Mwanga Region

Jun Ikeno, the second presenter, offered several provocative issues and points of conflict related to “local commons” in the Mwanga region of Tanzania, which require adjustments and mediation. For example, the town of Mwanga is experiencing the removal of trees and gravel from the riverbed owing to a heightened demand for construction materials related to economic development and a subsequent increase in new construction. Degradation of the environment is becoming a problem because this land has no clear ownership. The public water utility has installed water meters in surrounding villages because water facilities were needed to accommodate the population increase. However, villagers living near Mwanga town had created and maintained their own water facilities prior to town development and have refused payment to the utility company. In addition, sales of land around the town have increased, and an influx of new residents to this land has led to new problems. Ikeno has stated that although these problems have not yet led to armed conflicts, it is important to consider the roles of various actors in the conflict by defining the incendiary factors prevalent in the local society. He closed the presentation by adding that instead of presuming the local population to always be “right,” researchers must consider whether the proposed changes will cause problems in the future.

Shuichi Oyama (Kyoto University)
Conflict Over Land between Farmers and Pastoralists in the Sahel: Rebuilding of Coexistence Relationship Utilizing Local Potential

Shuichi Oyama, the third presenter, explained the background and current situation surrounding conflicts between pastoralists and farmers of the Sahel region of Niger. In the past, farmers (primarily the Hausa) and pastoralists (primarily the Fulbe) created a mutual economic exchange system of bartering agricultural and pastoral products. However, grazing land was turned into Hausa farmland and the land for pastoralists was reduced considerably. As a result, livestock cause heavy damage to agricultural products, particularly during the rainy season, which is also harvest time. Although negotiations continue on monetary settlements for crop damage, contradictions sometimes appear between the statements made by farmers and pastoralists regarding the actual damage. These contradictions lead to conflicts, even to the point of homicide when agreements are not reached. Furthermore, a gap exists between the wealthy and the poor in the farmer population, and the poor farmers vent their frustration on the wealthy in the form of violence against the pastoralists. On the other hand, some initiatives are underway to foster new coexistence relationships and alleviate conflicts. In the case of a crop being damaged, a designated pastoralist would mediate, thus avoiding further deterioration of relationships. Oyama is personally attempting to implement the alleviation of conflict using the traditional expertise of the Hausa. Specifically, one area is promoting afforestation by using city waste. This restored green land is then utilized for raising livestock thus creating a space that can be used in “kowa” (unity). (Reporter: Toru Sagawa)