191
8
increased by 1.7 ± 5.0%, but with large spatial differences: 0.2 ± 4.2% in densely
populated areas versus 2.1 ± 5.2% in sparsely populated areas, 0.9 ± 4.6% in cropped
areas versus 2.5 ± 5.4% in savannas and 3.9 ± 7.3% in woodlands (Brandt et al.
2016). Most of these dynamics of the woody population is explained by natural
regeneration. However, farmer-induced improvements of parkland management
mainly through increased tree planting on farmland as well as some large-scale tree
planting in highly eroded landscapes such as in the Ader Doutchi in central Niger
may have locally contributed to this greening (Reij et al. 2009).
The overall positive trends observed for both herbaceous and woody plant populations question the main evidence of desertification, which are contrary to the
dominating policy narrative on the Sahel represented for instance by the Great
Green Wall Initiative, which aims to make the Sahel green and thereby to fight
desertification by establishing a 15 km wide and 7100 km long green wall of trees
from Senegal to Djibouti. This is an initiative taken by Heads of State in the Sahel
and it is funded by the Global Environment Facility at the tune of over 100 million
US dollars. In addition, at the climate summit in Paris in December 2015, the project was promised another 4 billion US dollars from donors as well as additional
support from France.
Hence, even though international research during the last few decades has undermined the desertification narrative it still lives on in policy initiatives. Climate change
may indeed lead to drier conditions and desertification in the long term if rainfall
declines. Current climate models predict, however, higher total rainfall in the Sahel
following global warming, but also more variable rainfall within a shorter rainy season, in addition to rising temperatures. Therefore, uncertainty about the impacts for
people, land-use and ecosystems remains characteristic of climate scenarios for the
Sahel.
8.2 Pastoralism, Marginalization and Conflicts in Mali
As we saw in 7 Chap. 7, pastoralists are marginalized by government policies in
most countries where pastoralism is practised. Pastoral marginalization in Africa
is primarily caused by national agricultural policy and legislation related to land
tenure.
We will here present two case studies from Mali that illustrate how pastoralists are marginalized in practice and how this can trigger conflicts. The examples
also demonstrate some of the more complex historical and political causes
behind conflicts. We first discuss Tuareg rebellions in northern Mali before turning to the more recent ‘jihadist’ uprising in Mali and in the Sahel in general
(. Fig. 8.2).
8.2 · Pastoralism, Marginalization and Conflicts in Mali
8
increased by 1.7 ± 5.0%, but with large spatial differences: 0.2 ± 4.2% in densely
populated areas versus 2.1 ± 5.2% in sparsely populated areas, 0.9 ± 4.6% in cropped
areas versus 2.5 ± 5.4% in savannas and 3.9 ± 7.3% in woodlands (Brandt et al.
2016). Most of these dynamics of the woody population is explained by natural
regeneration. However, farmer-induced improvements of parkland management
mainly through increased tree planting on farmland as well as some large-scale tree
planting in highly eroded landscapes such as in the Ader Doutchi in central Niger
may have locally contributed to this greening (Reij et al. 2009).
The overall positive trends observed for both herbaceous and woody plant populations question the main evidence of desertification, which are contrary to the
dominating policy narrative on the Sahel represented for instance by the Great
Green Wall Initiative, which aims to make the Sahel green and thereby to fight
desertification by establishing a 15 km wide and 7100 km long green wall of trees
from Senegal to Djibouti. This is an initiative taken by Heads of State in the Sahel
and it is funded by the Global Environment Facility at the tune of over 100 million
US dollars. In addition, at the climate summit in Paris in December 2015, the project was promised another 4 billion US dollars from donors as well as additional
support from France.
Hence, even though international research during the last few decades has undermined the desertification narrative it still lives on in policy initiatives. Climate change
may indeed lead to drier conditions and desertification in the long term if rainfall
declines. Current climate models predict, however, higher total rainfall in the Sahel
following global warming, but also more variable rainfall within a shorter rainy season, in addition to rising temperatures. Therefore, uncertainty about the impacts for
people, land-use and ecosystems remains characteristic of climate scenarios for the
Sahel.
8.2 Pastoralism, Marginalization and Conflicts in Mali
As we saw in 7 Chap. 7, pastoralists are marginalized by government policies in
most countries where pastoralism is practised. Pastoral marginalization in Africa
is primarily caused by national agricultural policy and legislation related to land
tenure.
We will here present two case studies from Mali that illustrate how pastoralists are marginalized in practice and how this can trigger conflicts. The examples
also demonstrate some of the more complex historical and political causes
behind conflicts. We first discuss Tuareg rebellions in northern Mali before turning to the more recent ‘jihadist’ uprising in Mali and in the Sahel in general
(. Fig. 8.2).
8.2 · Pastoralism, Marginalization and Conflicts in Mali