Paper short abstract:

This paper explores the politico-economic aspects of the conflict between farmers and pastoralists in the Sahel and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Paper long abstract:

In 2017, conflicts between farmers and pastoralists resulted in more fatalities than terrorism and other forms of violent conflict. This is because there has been a sharp increase in this form of conflict in the last few years. While issues such as climate change, receding lake Chad, drought and population increase have been identified as possible causes of the rise in conflict, several questions are left unanswered especially in relation to the mode of attacks and the perpetrators of this violence. Smith (2005) projected the image of African pastoralism as that of a ' dusty herd moving across the landscape, and of the herder with the sticks across his shoulder standing on one leg leaning on his spear, gazing into the distance'. This image is no longer entirely correct as there is an increase in the use of sophisticated arms and weapons by pastoralists across several countries in Africa. The questions explored by this paper are; who are the real owners of the cattle and who is responsible for arming pastoralists? How has changes in cattle ownership across the Sahel and Sub-Saharan Africa contributed to conflict? What is the role of the state in the conflict and how have they addressed the economic and political aspect of the conflict? The paper argues that although some of the issues highlighted above might have contributed to the conflict, the politico-economic dimension of the conflict remains unexplored and this might hold the keys to uncovering the latent aspects of the conflict.