Conflict transformation around water in West Africa dry lands

Conflict transformation in West Africa is one of the major areas identified as a topic with potential for learning within the framework of NatureandPoverty.net. The first project to address this topic focuses on conflict in and around water and wetland resources in dry areas in West Africa. Conflicts over wetland resources in dry areas have always been present, but seem to be on the rise in the years to come. More actors will need or will claim scarce water resources in the near future. Though knowledge is available within the Natureandpoverty.net/IUCN NL network about arranging for water & wetland use to avoid, manage and transform conflicts, this knowledge is not well spread. Also, implementation of local arrangements for resource use often appears to lag behind. Besides, knowledge is under pressure from new trends such as climate change, and new actors such as large scale biofuel producers. How to deal with conflicts and the risk of increasingly occurring situations of conflict, taking into account already existing or emerging diversity of stakeholders and vulnerable groups? During a seminar in Mali, the 25 participating West African NGOs shared and learned about trends taking place which are inflicting upon wetland conflicts, and learned more about methodologies of dealing with conflicts over water/wetland resources in dry areas and about drafting and implementing local conventions. They established cross-network contacts and expressed willingness for intensified collaboration and further learning on the topic. As a first step, some will experiment to apply the knowledge in their daily work.