Climate Fuels Farmer-Herder Deadly Conflict in Senegal

In Senegal, a deadly conflict between farmers and herders is escalating due to the impacts of climate change. Declining rainfall and increasing temperatures have significantly reduced available pasture land, intensifying competition for resources. This environmental stress forces nomadic herders to traverse longer distances in search of grazing, leading to increased confrontations with farmers whose crops are often encroached upon by livestock.

The traditional transhumance routes of herders, primarily the Peul community, now clash with agricultural timelines. As dry seasons shorten and rains become unpredictable, the overlap between herder migrations and crop harvests has become a flashpoint for disputes. These encounters, often involving makeshift weapons like machetes, have tragically resulted in fatalities and serious injuries on both sides.