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Workshop on Popularization of the African Union Guidelines on Securing Pastoralism and Conflict Prevention in Africa: Safe, Peaceful and Sustainable Pastoralism. 06-08 September, 2022. Ndjamena, Tchad

The Office of Research and Development of Food Crops in Semi-arid Zones of the African Union (AU-SAFGRAD) in collaboration with the Ministry of Livestock and Animal Production of Chad organized a workshop to popularize the report on the lines guidelines of the African Union to secure pastoralism and prevent conflicts in Africa. The meeting was held at Amitié Hotel in Ndjamena, Chad, from September 6 to 8, 2022.

The meeting brought together experts from Regional Economic Communities (ECOWAS, UMA and IGAD), specialized institutions, in this case CILSS and CIRAD, breeders’ organizations (APESS), the technical services of the Ministries in charge of Élevage du Tchad, NGOs and Associations, projects and programs.

Goals:
The overall objective of this workshop is to begin the implementation of the Recommendations resulting from the last Specialized Technical Committee (STC) on Agriculture, Rural Development, Water and Environment (ADREE), which was held in December 2021, notably through contributing to the dissemination of these guidelines and encouraging RECs and Member States to integrate them into regional and national policies. This strategic instrument defines the orientations aimed at promoting pastoralism on the continent. It must contribute to the operationalization of the African Union policy framework on Pastoralism, by encouraging States to support adaptation initiatives developed by pastoralist communities and create a more favorable environment for peaceful coexistence.
More specifically, it was about:
• Sensitize and make available to Member States and RECs AU guidelines on pastoralism;
• Strengthen the capacities of pastoral associations and communities through a clear statement of the objectives assigned to the guidelines;
• Promote effective national and regional policies as well as regional cooperation and dialogue on peaceful and secure transhumance;
• Promote collaboration and synergies between pastoral associations in various regions as well as stakeholders in the promotion of peaceful pastoralism;
• Develop a roadmap on the implementation of the recommendations from the STC 2021 which was endorsed by the AU Executive Council in February 2022.

Expected results:
Five (5) main results were expected at the end of this workshop, namely:
1. Member States and RECs are sensitized and the AU guidelines on pastoralism are made available to them;
2. The capacities of pastoral associations and communities are strengthened on the objectives assigned to the guidelines;
3. Effective national and regional policies as well as regional cooperation and dialogues on peaceful and secure transhumance are promoted;
4. Collaboration and synergies between pastoral associations in various regions as well as stakeholders are promoted for peaceful pastoralism;
5. A roadmap on the implementation of the recommendations from the STC 2021 which was endorsed by the AU Executive Council in February 2022 is developed.