Climate-Security and Peacebuilding: Lessons from Liptako Gourma

9 June 2023

Climate-security and peacebuilding work has been an area of increased significance and investment within the Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO). The recently published Thematic Review on Climate-Security and Peacebuilding?highlights that despite implementation challenges, the Peacebuilding Fund’s (PBF) climate-security investments in the Liptako Gourma subregion spanning Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger demonstrate potential in addressing root causes and shifting away from militarized approaches. The peacebuilding initiatives are showing positive results in addressing conflicts associated with transhumance. IOM, for example, has reported successful resolution of over half of the nearly 200 identified conflicts through their Transhumance Tracking Tool (TTT) system.

Liptako Gourma is a vast arid region facing a crisis due to communal tensions, population pressure, poverty, limited livelihood opportunities, scarce resources, weak governance, and lack of basic services. Since 2015, intercommunal conflict and sexual and gender-based violence have increased, while the governance context has become less stable with military coups in Burkina Faso and Mali. Climate change worsens the situation, impacting livestock herding and rainfed agriculture, while higher temperatures and water fluctuations threaten livelihoods and food security. The region's harsh climate and lack of government support exacerbate these challenges, resulting in conflicts.

"Despite the institutional and political framework that governs it, transhumance remains a source of controversy, especially in the host areas, whether internal or external, because it is often poorly understood by the populations in the host areas or poorly managed by the practitioners when they arrive in these areas," said Saidou Oua, Executive Secretary of the Liptako Gourma Authority.

Within Liptako Gourma, the PBF has invested over $21 million in nine active and recent climate-security projects representing 12.5% of its overall climate-security portfolio. The projects have introduced a more regionalized lens to peacebuilding, and have prioritized approaches that address the needs of vulnerable populations.

As one practitioner in the field observed: “At the current moment climate-security is a big policy priority but it wasn’t [before]. PBSO played a big role in socializing its importance in programming. They’ve played a catalyzing role.”

All nine projects tackle transhumance-related challenges, recognizing the interconnectedness of pastoral land, water points, and grazing. These initiatives aim to build resilience to climate change and environmental degradation while fostering peaceful coexistence among diverse ethnic and occupational communities in the Liptako Gourma subregion.

"This intervention has helped strengthen community cohesion in the pastoral environment, a key element in the stabilization of the Sahelian space,” said the Mayor of the municipality of Tessit in Mali.

A central idea underlying most projects is to use the natural resources sector as a catalyst for addressing deep-rooted disparities. Simultaneously, the projects emphasize the critical role of women and youth engagement in enhancing community resilience and promoting better natural resource management strategies. In Mali, two projects exemplify the intersection of gender, climate, and security by empowering women and girls, fostering peace and resilience against climate change shocks. Engaging youth in community mechanisms, dialogue spaces, education, livelihood opportunities, and community-building activities such as sports and youth clubs also remain a key focus. FAO and IOM are collaborating to alleviate pressure on pastoral resources and mitigate violent conflicts associated with transhumance in the region. Their efforts include enhancing the alert system, implementing mechanisms to manage transhumance and related conflicts, and promoting sustainable use of pastoral resources. Through the alert system, a total of 712 alerts were issued, out of which 213 conflicts were reported, including agro-pastoral disputes and inter-community tensions. As a result of the implemented mechanisms, 126 conflicts were successfully resolved.

Despite limitations in data collection, evaluations have revealed that the projects largely achieved established targets and benchmarks for increased inclusion of women and youth. In the cross-border project spanning Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali, internal reports reviewed by independent evaluators recorded increased involvement of women and youth in income-generating and communal activities compared to previous levels.

The thematic review highlighted some of the best practices and lessons learned. Firstly, these projects adopt a comprehensive approach to peace and security, focusing on addressing the underlying climate-driven factors that contribute to conflict rather than relying solely on a militaristic response. The emphasis on the inclusion of women and youth is particularly significant, given the connection between marginalized youth, limited livelihood prospects, and their susceptibility to recruitment by armed factions.

Another best practice is that the PBF has been adaptive, learning from experience and evolving different ways to tackle emerging challenges. PBF’s portfolio has evolved through various distinct phases, trialing work with different agencies and aiming to bring together complementary skills.

In the cross-border project spanning Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali, PBF’s collaboration with smaller organizations and the implementation of smaller grants, ranging from $20,000 to $50,000, has proven effective. These initiatives have directly benefited community organizations in regions with limited government presence. As an illustrative example, ten households have started producing biogas, an energy source that allows them to cook and provides other benefits. This improvement in the living conditions for these households has also had a preventative effect on natural resource conflicts, as there is now a reduced reliance on firewood.

Furthermore, training and awareness-raising initiatives on land tenure security for farms have resulted in an increased number of requests for Rural Land Possession Certificates by farmers. Approximately 25 certificates were delivered in the commune of Diapangou in the Liptako Gourma region. The implemented infrastructures have strengthened the conflict prevention system. The introduction of pastoral boreholes has increased the availability of water, reducing the pressure on domestic boreholes.

The PBF’s regional approach to peace programming, supported by existing governance structures, coordination mechanisms and implementing partners in each country, sets it apart. The PBF has played an important role in incentivizing countries (and the UN) to think regionally and beyond the capitals.

The United Nations Integrated Strategy for the Sahel (UNISS) has recognized the PBF’s cross-border programming in the Sahel as an example of innovation that could “more effectively target the root drivers of fragility” in the region. In a preliminary evaluation of the cross-border spanning Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali, it was noted that the collection, analysis and dissemination of information crucial for the peaceful management of transhumance had been accomplished satisfactorily.

Lastly, the PBF is playing a crucial role in helping to forge a more ‘One UN’ approach to peacebuilding in the Liptako Gourma subregion. As one interviewee put it: “It permits organizations to work together and to understand what other organizations are doing.” The national PBF Secretariats are seen as responsive, easy to work with, and generally well-connected to the peacebuilding community in each of their countries.

Through adaptive approaches, a regional focus, and fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders, the PBF in Liptako Gourma has demonstrated its vital role in addressing climate-security challenges and promoting inclusive peacebuilding practices in the Sahel region.

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