A dialogue forum aimed at strengthening social cohesion between farmers and herders in Bouko sub-prefecture concluded on Friday, September 19, 2025, bringing together community leaders, administrative authorities, and customary chiefs.
Chaired by Bouko’s sub-prefect, Jean Michel Agba, the meeting forms part of the Strengthening Resilience in Northern Côte d’Ivoire (ProRES) project.
Financed by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by GIZ, the initiative operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Food Production.
Its goal is to enhance socio-economic resilience among youth and communities in northern regions through dialogue and conflict prevention in agro-pastoral activities.
Discussions at the forum highlighted recurring sources of tension between farmers and herders. Participants identified challenges such as the management of livestock passage corridors, field demarcation disputes, stray herds, and the growing scarcity of natural resources.
These issues have historically contributed to local conflicts, underscoring the importance of continuous dialogue and cooperation.
The forum culminated in a series of concrete proposals and joint recommendations, reflecting a shared commitment to peace, tolerance, and social cohesion in daily community interactions. Organisers hope that these resolutions will lead to a lasting reduction in agro-pastoral tensions in Bouko sub-prefecture.
Sub-Prefect Jean Michel Agba praised the initiative as a timely response to the challenges of peaceful coexistence.
“We must ensure that the resolutions adopted are translated into concrete actions on the ground,” he said, emphasising the need to consolidate the forum’s achievements through practical implementation.
The forum represents a significant step in Côte d’Ivoire’s ongoing efforts to promote dialogue-based conflict resolution and strengthen resilience among rural communities, providing a model for fostering harmony in regions affected by agro-pastoral disputes.
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