The hoe, the cow and the gun - New research on transhumance in the DRC
Publisher: Justine Brabant and Jean-Louis K. Nzweve (Life and Peace Institute)
Date: 2014
Topics: Dispute Resolution/Mediation, Land, Livelihoods, Renewable Resources
Countries: Congo (DRC)
This new research report published by Life and Peace Institute and its DRC programme includes an in-depth study of the phenomenon of transhumance which is highlighted as one of the main causes of armed conflict in South Kivu. Transhumance, or the seasonal migration of tens of thousands of cows from the highland to the lowlands in Fizi, is at the origin of many conflicts between farmers and pastoralists. In an area such as South Kivu where there is a weak state authority, a large sense of impunity and a massive presence of small arms and armed groups, these conflicts constantly threaten to take on larger, intercommunity dimensions. LPI has been working with conflict transformation methods for several years to help alleviate these conflicts. In the book, LPI and the authors Justin Brabant and Jean-Louis K. Nzweve goes further than investigating transhumance and the causes and consequences of transhumance-related conflicts. They also explore possible solutions, and critically evaluate LPI’s own conflict transformation work in South Kivu.
Full report in FRENCH only.