The process of building a shared vision on mobile livestock

systems and renegotiating the regulatory framework

Achievements & perspectives

Alain SY TRAORE: atraore@ecowas.int

&
Bio Goura SOULE : soule.bio.ecowas@gmail.com

Abuja, August 15, 2022

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Presentation plan

I. The origins and basis of the exercise

II. The main steps of the process

III. The completions

IV. The perspectives

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I. The origins and foundations of the exercise

A regional breeding system that is still largely non-
sedentary;
Pastoralism: an animal production system facing many
challenges and constraints:
The reduction of pastoral areas: problem of feeding animals,
exacerbation of competition over resources, resulting in numerous conflicts,

the incompleteness of the reforms, in particular of the regime and

status of the land, ;

the degradation of the security and social context; terrorism, cattle

theft, kidnapping, displacement of population and livestock
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I. The origins and foundations of the exercise

Numerous efforts made by actors at all levels

Actions to supervise/regulate the system: ADEC decision 05/10/98 and the 2003 regulation
Structuring policies: PAU (UEMOA, 2001) & ECOWAP (ECOWAS, 2005),
Major security programs: more than a dozen since 2015 for an investment of over $1 billion.
Persistence and amplification of challenges
Complexity of conflicts peaking in 2018: more than 3,000 victims
Strong assimilation of pastoralism to a criminogenic phenomenon
 pastoralism caught between two hammers: land pressure in the South and
insecurity in the North ,
Abuja Conf 2018: A strong recommendation: reflect on the future of mobile
livestock systems
Effectively addressing the existential challenge facing pastoralism
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II. The main steps of the process

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Four (4) steps
1. The realization of a series of fundamental studies to understand the
functioning of the breeding systems;
2. Analysis of key variables that determine past and future trajectories of
mobile livestock systems,
3. Determination of probable and/or potential scenarios of evolution of mobile
livestock systems in West Africa and the Sahel,
4. The formulation of a regional strategy for the development of livestock and
the securing of pastoralism, along with:
1. A five-year action plan,
2. public policy instruments (incentives and investments) versus revised regulatory
framework.
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III. The main achievements

Three fundamental studies carried out
 Assessing the scope and limitations of the regulatory framework for cross-
border transhumance
 An evaluative study of the economic, social and environmental impacts of
mobile livestock systems in West Africa and the Sahel
 A study on the perception of the actors of mobile breeding systems
Three analysis notes of the key variables determining the
trajections of SEM
 A note on economic factors,
 A note on environmental and climatic factors,
 A note on social and political factors.
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III. The main achievements

3. the production of a prospective summary note with three
scenarios
A trend scenario that prolongs the current situation, which is clearly not
sustainable in the long term;

A scenario of rupture and withdrawal into national spaces, which is

strongly questioned as to its feasibility and sustainability;

A scenario of a controlled transformation of mobile livestock

systems: more realistic, but which requires moving from a declared political will to a
real commitment that favors holistic actions (investments and rational management of
natural resources, etc.).
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III. The main achievements

4. The ongoing formulation of a strategy for livestock development and securing

pastoralism

Strategic objective: to facilitate a controlled transformation of mobile breeding systems

Axis 1: Promote the economic valuation of livestock and livestock products

Axis 2: Improve the governance of territories and natural resources

Axis 3: Promoting "one health", animal health and safety

Axis 4: Develop a favorable environment for public and private investments in livestock.
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IV. The perspectives

Three projects

1. Develop policy instruments to support the implementation of

the strategy,

2. Accompany the States in the adjustment of policies and

strategies,

3. Facilitate ownership of the strategy and policy instruments by

national and regional actors.
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9/22/22

ECOWAS IS ENGAGED TO ACHIEVE FOOD SECURITY IN THE REGION

ECOWAP Web Based Monitoring and

Evaluation System
https://ecowap.ecowas.int/

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Thank you for your kind attention!

The zebus : Azawak, Gobra & Maure

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