Policy framework for Pastoralism in Africa

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people. The key principles of this initiative were in line with, and contributed to, the strategicpillars of the Commission, namely promotion of peace and security, cooperation, partnershipand development, shared vision and institutional capacity strengthening.This draft Policy Framework for Pastoralism in Africa is a result of a series of consultationsand regional assessments of pastoralism conducted since mid-2007. A Specialist Taskforce wasestablished following the inception workshop in Isiolo, and the Taskforce members were activelyinvolved in articulating the issues and guiding the process and the strategy. Consultants haveundertaken the regional assessments in each of the five regions of Africa, and the regionalassessment reports were reviewed and validated in a consultation workshop held in April 2010,in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. These processes led to the formulation of the development ofthe draft policy framework, which was discussed and validated in a stakeholders consultationworkshop held in September-October 2010, in Nairobi, Kenya.1.1.2 Scope and justification for a pan-African pastoral policya. ScopePolicy has always been at the centre of successes and failures in the development of human communities.Similarly, policy can either promote or hinder economic and social development in pastoralareas of Africa. Specifically, the policy and institutional environment determines access to theresources of these areas and therefore, has a significant impact on equity, productivity and livelihoods.Limited or uncertain resource tenure and access to, or ownership of land, water and otherresources is a long-term, fundamental constraint for pastoralism. In addition, limited formal education,health and communication facilities, inappropriate market development, and poor accessto livestock and other services can lead to discontent, generate injustice and further promote conflict.These problems can also lead to non-sustainable resource use and environmental degradation. Incontrast, appropriate pro-pastoral policy and institutional reforms can empower pastoral peopleand promote equitable access to resources, facilities and services, and guarantee sustainable landuse and environmental management.It is increasingly accepted that livestock rearing is the dominant and rational economic enterprisein pastoral communities, but policies to address pastoral issues must go beyond those related tolivestock production, marketing and trade. Pastoralists also need supportive policies on criticalissues such as healthcare, education, land tenure, women’s rights, governance, ethnicity andreligion. Furthermore, the scope of policy in many areas, especially policies on pastoral mobility,environment and conflict, must range from local policies to regional policy harmonization acrossborders. This scope recognizes that pastoralist ecosystems often transcend national borders, andthat movement within these systems is economically and ecologically rational.b. JustificationGiven the transnational character of pastoralism and the extreme and worsening levels of foodinsecurity and vulnerability within African pastoral communities, a pan-African policy on pastoralismis long overdue. Available information indicates that pastoralists are among the most politicallyand economically marginalized communities. They have decreasing access to the natural resourceson which their livelihoods depend, and very limited access to basic socio-economic services andSecuring, Protecting and Improving the Lives, Livelihoods and Rights of Pastoralist Communities9
infrastructure. In addition, pastoralist areas continue to be affected by violent conflict, which insome regions in protracted and hinders opportunities for long-term economic growth. The developmentchallenges of pastoral areas in Africa are multi-dimensional and complex but nevertheless,need urgent attention. Poverty, environmental degradation, marked rainfall variability, humanand animal diseases, conflicts and civil strife must be dealt with simultaneously. Inappropriatedevelopment policies, ineffective institutional settings, unfair market relationships and increasedpressure on pastoral ecosystems add to these challenges, and place many pastoralists in a situationof worsening vulnerability.The commitment to the Policy Framework for Pastoralism in Africa arises from the need for acontinent-wide platform to effectively address, in a holistic manner, the many challenges confrontingpastoral communities. Such a policy framework will define the guidelines, principles and modalitiesfor combining all the essential elements needed for a better understanding of pastoral issues, andfor the development and implementation of interventions to address these issues. While facilitatingengagement with regional and country-level planning processes, the new policy framework will playa catalytic role in promoting development in pastoral communities by providing the African platformtool for harnessing the political, economic and technical resources needed to empower pastoralcommunities to better manage their resources, for their own long-term benefit.1.2 Objectives of the Policy Framework for Pastoralism in AfricaThe Policy Framework for Pastoralism in Africa will address the root causes of pastoral vulnerabilityon the continent. Within the AUC, the framework is driven by recognition that reduction of pastoralpoverty is central to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), notleast because pastoralists represent a substantial segment of the population in many African countries.Many past attempts to support pastoral development failed to recognize the strengths ofpastoralism, and did not balance the need for greater pastoral representation and good governance,with appropriate technical approaches. Pastoral development efforts must go beyond single-sectortechnical approaches, and embrace indigenous knowledge, innovations for sustainable naturalresources management, effective governance, and further integration of pastoral livelihoods withexpanding market opportunities.The two objectives of the Policy Framework for Pastoralism in Africa are to:Objective 1Secure and protect the lives, livelihoods and rights of pastoral peoples and ensure continentwidecommitment to political, social and economic development of pastoral communities andpastoral areas.Objective 2Reinforce the contribution of pastoral livestock to national, regional and continent-wideeconomies.In specific terms, the policy framework is intended to:a. Provide a both a vision and a practical framework for achieving multiple development objectivesin pastoral areas; catalyzing political will and raising awareness among key stakeholders,10 Policy framework for Pastoralism in Africa
Page 2 and 3: DEPARTMENT OF RURAL ECONOMY AND AGR
Page 4 and 5: 2.4 Social and cultural contexts 18
Page 6 and 7: AbbreviationsAUAUCAU/DREAAU/IBARCAA
Page 8 and 9: traditional pastoral institutions i
Page 12 and 13: devising effective governance frame
Page 14 and 15: 2.2.1 Mediterranean and Saharan zon
Page 16 and 17: equatorial humid forest. Pastoral a
Page 18 and 19: pastoral areas include the use of l
Page 20 and 21: to pasture and water resources are
Page 22 and 23: In Burundi where population pressur
Page 24 and 25: all passed legislation specifically
Page 26 and 27: with resident farmers. These proble
Page 28 and 29: issues, they are meant to bring the
Page 30 and 31: i) Climate changePastoralist produc
Page 32 and 33: policies and legislation, and furth
Page 34 and 35: The process for reaching a common u
Page 36 and 37: iv. The need to acknowledge the leg
Page 38 and 39: within and between states, supporte
Page 40 and 41: many African countries have already
Page 42 and 43: Strategy 2.6 Protect African geneti
Page 44 and 45: --enactment of new and revision or
Page 46 and 47: iii. Policy information delivery an
Page 48: 6. ConclusionSustainable pastoral r

Policy framework for Pastoralism in Africa

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