On Wednesday, August 5, 2026, the High Authority for Peace Consolidation (HACP) organized a meeting in Tibiri-Gobir, Maradi region, Niger, to address escalating conflicts between farmers and herders. The gathering, which included administrative authorities, traditional chiefs, and community leaders, aimed to find solutions to a problem that has become a security and development issue in the Sahel region, where dwindling natural resources intensify disputes. Participants included HACP President Brigadier General Amadou Diddili, Maradi Governor Police Controller General Issoufou Mamane, and Sultan of Gobir-Maradi Abdou Bala Marafa. Agriculture and livestock farming are primary livelihoods in many Nigerien localities. The message from Tibiri-Gobir emphasized consultation as the best defense against escalating violence amid resource scarcity.
Root Causes of Resource Competition
Discussions during the Tibiri-Gobir meeting centered on identifying the underlying causes of recurrent clashes between users of shared resources in Niger. Participants noted that several factors fuel the competition for vital resources such as land, water, and pastures. The expansion of agricultural land was cited as a primary driver, encroaching upon traditional grazing routes and areas designated for pastoral activities. This reduction of available pastoral spaces intensifies pressure on nomadic herders and their livestock. The effects of climate change contribute significantly to resource scarcity, exacerbating existing tensions. Demographic pressure within communities also plays a role, increasing demand on finite natural assets and further straining the relationship between farming and herding populations.
Seeking Sustainable Solutions
Governor Issoufou Mamane stated the initiative aligns with the dynamic launched by the President of the Republic following his recent visit to the Maradi region. Mr. Mamane invited participants to "assess existing mechanisms for preventing and managing rural conflicts non-violently and, above all, to identify avenues for sustainable solutions." The High Authority for Peace Consolidation (HACP) believes that a purely security-based response is insufficient. Two expert panels were convened to discuss conflict prevention mechanisms and sustainable solutions tailored to the Sahelian context. The primary objective is to strengthen traditional mediation mechanisms and integrate them into existing public policies for peace consolidation. Preserving peace requires improved organization of access to natural resources and adherence to collectively established rules.
Complementarity Over Conflict
Général de Brigade Amadou Diddili, President of the High Authority for Peace Consolidation (HACP), emphasized the intrinsic relationship between farmers and herders. He stated that the "users of shared resources are not enemies. They are complementary." This perspective underpins the HACP's approach, which seeks to foster cooperation rather than exacerbate divisions between agricultural and pastoral communities. The statement noted the necessity of recognizing the mutual dependence of these groups for the region's overall stability and economic well-being. This viewpoint aims to guide discussions toward finding common ground and shared solutions to resource management challenges in Niger.
Broader Context and Policy Alignment
Général de Brigade Amadou Diddili characterized the Sahelian environment as complex, marked by multiple challenges. He described the region as experiencing insecurity, which contributes to instability. Mr. Diddili further noted the presence of forced displacement, indicating significant population movements within the area. He noted pressure on natural resources, showing the scarcity that often fuels conflict. Additionally, Général Diddili pointed to inter-community tensions as a persistent issue affecting the social fabric of the Sahel. These factors collectively define the difficult context in which agro-pastoral conflicts are escalating.