This open editorial was originally published in Jeune Afrique on November 5, 2024.
Mohamed Ould El-Ghazaouani, President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania
Mahamat Idriss Déby, President of the Republic of Chad
Ousmane Diagana, World Bank Vice-President for West and Central Africa
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Today, more than ever, we must turn our attention to pastoralism across the Sahel and West Africa. Stretching from Mauritania and Senegal on the Atlantic coast to the Nile Valley in Sudan, the Sahel is a crossroads of cultures and a corridor of movement, where exchanges in trade and ideas are constant. This region supports the lives of some 212 million people, and its stability affects not only the nations within its borders but also the broader economy and security of West Africa.
Yet since the 1970s, the Sahel has faced a troubling array of interwoven crises: devastating droughts, flash floods, locust invasions, and worsening desertification. The effects are palpable—today’s food crises and deepening poverty are compounded by intensifying insecurity. In just the first six months of 2024, over 3,000 civilians have been killed in violence across the Sahel—a 25 percent increase from the previous period. And while we write, floods are displacing more than 2.5 million residents and have already claimed 900 lives.
Herders: Emblematic Figures and Champions of Sahelian Resilience
In this beleaguered landscape, the resilience of Sahelian societies is being severely tested by the cascading effects of multiple crises. The vast territories inhabited by pastoralist communities face growing pressures from the expansion of agricultural activities, rapid population growth, and unrelenting insecurity that spills across borders, intensifying the stigmatization of herders.
Yet these herders, iconic figures of the Sahel, are remarkably positioned to adapt to the region’s changing landscape. Their unique flexibility in diverse contexts and their skill in harnessing available natural resources make them champions of resilience in every sense. By strengthening their adaptive capacity, we not only improve their quality of life but also contribute to the economic and social prosperity of Sahelian communities.
A Powerful Driver of Regional Integration
Pastoralism holds significant economic value for the Sahel. This lifestyle supplies 90 percent of the region’s red meat and 70 percent of its milk, directly benefiting more than 20 million people. Pastoralism also plays a critical role in the sustainable management of natural resources and the fight against climate change across 3 million square kilometers. Moreover, it creates income opportunities that link Sahelian countries, driving economic integration and stability across borders.
In 2013, the Sahelian nations, together with partners, established the N'Djamena and Nouakchott Declarations, pledging to revitalize pastoralism. Today, with over a billion dollars invested, we can appreciate several achievements: improved livestock production and marketing infrastructure, better animal health, strengthened natural resource management, and increased social inclusion of pastoralists, including women and young people.
Yet the picture is mixed. Insecurity continues to grow, violence proliferates, pastoral lands shrink, and the pressures of rapid urbanization intensify. Despite notable progress, many of our original goals remain unmet, and new obstacles continue to surface.
From “Peaceful Transhumance” to “Peaceful Territories”
Despite these challenges, pastoralism and mobility remain essential to rural development in the Sahel and beyond, extending into West Africa’s coastal nations. Supporting pastoralism requires thoughtful governance reforms in the livestock sector. Pastoralism, traditionally viewed within narrow geographic and sectoral boundaries, must now be reframed. We need to shift from a limited view of “peaceful transhumance” to a broader vision of “peaceful territories” that supports livelihoods, mobility, and community well-being.
The upcoming forum in Nouakchott presents an invaluable opportunity to bring fresh energy to this critical sector. Here, leaders, policy experts, and development partners will explore innovative solutions for revitalizing pastoralism—not only in the Sahel but across the whole of West Africa. As we face a future in which the Sahel’s population will reach nearly 514 million by 2030, our commitment to supporting pastoralism is more crucial than ever. We must act now to build a peaceful and prosperous future for all.
