Al-Daein, June 22 (Darfur24)
Nomadic leaders and livestock herders in East Darfur State have warned that delays in opening livestock migration routes, grazing areas and watering points could increase tensions between herders and farmers as the rainy season begins.
Ibrahim Abdel Karim, the representative of nomadic communities in Bahr al-Arab locality, called on state and local authorities, as well as native administration leaders, to urgently reopen livestock corridors to facilitate the seasonal movement of herders returning from southern grazing areas to central, northern and northwestern parts of the state.
Abdel Karim told Darfur24 that delays in opening the routes could lead to renewed friction between pastoralists and farmers, particularly after widespread encroachment on traditional livestock corridors, watering points and irrigation channels during the previous agricultural season.
He emphasized that timely intervention is crucial to prevent disputes and safeguard both farming and pastoral livelihoods during the rainy season.
A government official in East Darfur acknowledged that authorities have not yet formed the committees traditionally tasked with opening migration routes and grazing areas and coordinating between farmers and herders.
Such committees have been established in previous years to reduce the risk of conflicts and regulate the movement of livestock across farming areas.
East Darfur witnessed several clashes between farmers and herders last year in various localities, prompting state authorities to organize a conference on peaceful coexistence and the protection of the agricultural season in the localities of Asalaya, Yassin and Sha’iriya.
The conference brought together farmers, nomadic representatives, community leaders and native administration officials from East and South Darfur to discuss mechanisms for preventing disputes and promoting coexistence between pastoral and agricultural communities.