In West Africa, cross-border conflicts have been intensified by ineffective natural resource management, compounded by climate change and other socio-economic pressures. In response to these conflict dynamics, Interpeace and its local partners have developed innovative programming that strengthens collaboration among cross-border communities in Mali, Côte d’Ivoire, and Burkina Faso. These efforts aim to enhance social cohesion, promote economic development, and build resilience against climate shocks.

The regions of Sikasso in Mali and Hauts-Bassins in Burkina Faso are pivotal to the stability and prosperity of the Sahel. With rich agricultural potential, these areas serve as vital trade hubs and are often referred to as “green lungs” of their respective countries. Their abundant natural resources support millions of livelihoods but have also become points of tension in the face of governance gaps and environmental stress.

Conflict Dynamics and Climate Pressures

Research conducted by Interpeace in 2021, funded by the PATRIP Foundation, revealed three major conflict dynamics in key cross-border areas, notably between Koloko (Burkina Faso) and Finkolo (Mali), as well as between communities in the Cascades region (Burkina Faso) and the Tchologo (Côte d'Ivoire).

First, competition over land ownership and usage have escalated since agriculture remains the main income-generating activity. Farmers expand their land beyond traditional boundaries, which increases tensions over access and cultivation rights.

"The first person to cultivate a piece of land cuts down their field to go beyond the old boundaries. Then the other one comes along, realises that where he was cultivating, the boundaries are no longer the same; they have been crossed by the other. This is what leads to many quarrels," explained a local farmer from Koloko, Burkina Faso.

Second, conflicts between farmers and herders have become more frequent. Expanding farmland has reduced available grazing lands, prompting violent clashes with transhumant herders, nomadic pastoralists who seasonally migrate in search of pasture.

Third, women and youth’s exclusion from conflict management processes has limited community resilience. Despite their critical role in resource use and management, women and young people are often marginalised in decision-making structures in culturally male-dominated societies.

Climate variability, land degradation, and unsustainable land use practices aggravated by climate change – have increased competition for diminishing resources. Marked by shorter rainy seasons, scarce rainfall, frequent natural disasters, deforestation, and desertification, climate change has effectively worsened pre-existing conflict dynamics. Increased migration by transhumant herders into already fragile areas has heightened tensions, complicating agricultural planning and livestock management. The resulting pressures have triggered recurrent intra- and inter-community conflicts.

To help build lasting peace in these communities, Interpeace has implemented a three-pronged strategy: promoting participatory dialogue, supporting alternative livelihoods and investing in community infrastructure that promotes coexistence.

 Strengthening Social Cohesion Through Community Dialogue

Participatory dialogue was carried out through three main approaches. In the first project phase, Interpeace conducted community consultations in the form of inter-community and intra-community dialogues. This process created a platform to raise awareness about preventing conflicts related to natural resource exploitation.

Cross-border commissions were established, comprising community members, local authorities, and technical agents. These commissions not only serve as frameworks for inter-community integration but also function as tools for conflict prevention and management. They also serve as complaint mechanisms and facilitate peaceful resolution of conflicts.

Interpeace, in collaboration with implementing partners — Association SOS Enfants and Association Esther Vision in Burkina Faso, and Action pour le Développement de l'Initiative Locale (ADILO) in Mali — carried out awareness-raising activities through conferences and educational talks. Four civil-military dialogue frameworks were established; alongside educational talks, cross-border fairs, and community theatre performances aimed at promoting coexistence in the border areas.

These forums focused on natural resource management along the border strip. The fairs, held in both regions, attracted over four thousand participants, including community leaders, as well as administrative and political authorities. They featured traditional music, dance, and local food.

According to participants, the fairs provided an opportunity to rediscover shared values between cross-border communities.

"Today, we realise the importance of collective effort. We cannot achieve peace without working together. We understand each other better, and we continue to work together. Thanks to the programme interventions in our communities, we prioritise negotiation over confrontation and maintain open discussions," noted Zana Alassane, a member of the Zanapledougou community in Côte d'Ivoire.

The establishment of a culture of dialogue between Malian, Burkinabé, and Ivorian communities has reunited populations who, due to past tensions, had ceased socialising or participating in joint events.  

A significant decrease in tensions linked to natural resource exploitation has been reported in the past two years. Local incident reports compiling data from cross-border commissions and local authorities revealed only minor incidents in 2024, with no major conflicts over natural resources reported.

"The programme has opened our eyes. Today we know how to behave, and, above all, we are aware of the importance of working together to solve our problems," said Coulibaly Blama, a youth leader in Ouarga community, Côte d'Ivoire.

 Building Better Livelihoods to Reduce Pressure on Natural Resources

The programme also introduced alternative livelihood activities by supporting community members, particularly vulnerable youth and women, in developing environmentally friendly, climate-resilient, income-generating initiatives. This approach aimed to empower these vulnerable community members, enhance their contributions to social cohesion, and reduce dependence on the exploitation of natural resources. The activities included improved seed farming, small livestock breeding, and local product processing. Community members also learned innovative agricultural techniques that increase productivity without requiring vast land or causing land degradation. These included sedentary breeding of small ruminants, a sustainable practice that eliminates the need for transhumance tracks during the rainy season; production of soumbala (fermented locust beans), which focuses on processing local products instead of exploiting natural resources; and beekeeping, which has helped reduce reliance on traditional land exploitation as the sole income source. These practices have diversified livelihoods while promoting environmental sustainability and social cohesion.

Community-based joint processing factories, a women's poultry breeding centre, and storage warehouses have been established to foster collaboration and improve socio-economic conditions. To sustain these initiatives, community members have been trained in managing income-generating activities and financial literacy.

“Poor livelihoods caused by climate change have also been a source of conflict in our communities. This programme helped us create income-generating activities. Thanks to the training I received in the production and sale of Soumbala, I have improved my product and can meet my family’s needs. I no longer have time for quarrels with my neighbours, as I am busy with my business,” said Odette Sanou.

Investing in Shared Community Infrastructure

Complementing livelihood support, the programme has invested in essential infrastructure, such as modern community markets, renovating water wells, and dams as well as health centres, linking income-generating activities and offering joint resource sites. Drinking water supply systems have also been built to provide potable water and help reduce conflicts over water resources.

These initiatives have brought communities closer together and reduced both intra- and inter-community tensions. The infrastructure not only meets the needs of the population but also strengthens social cohesion and grassroots socio-economic development.

The experiences of Sikasso, Hauts-Bassins, and Tchologo show that strengthening participatory natural resource governance, promoting climate-resilient livelihoods, and investing in conflict-sensitive infrastructure are vital pathways to peace in fragile regions.

As climate change continues to amplify risks, there is an urgent need to scale up these approaches, support local leadership, and embed collaborative frameworks that bridge communities and authorities. Building resilience to climate stresses is not just an environmental imperative but a peacebuilding priority for West Africa and beyond.