As part of the Borderlands-Central Africa program, an observatory has been established to generate, organize, and share information regarding the dynamics and impact of transhumance on the "peace-pastoralism-conservation" nexus in the border regions of the Central African Republic, Cameroon, Chad, and Sudan. A quarterly monitoring bulletin provides a summary of the observed information and trends.
Conflict and insecurity in Central Africa, along with climate change, are significantly affecting the routes taken by transhumant herder groups. These groups are compelled to adopt new migration paths—particularly in the border areas between Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Sudan, and Chad, which also contain protected areas—potentially sparking new tensions over natural resource governance. At the same time, the movement of armed groups across these peripheral regions creates a climate of severe insecurity for people and property, with both farmers and transhumant herders frequently falling victim to abuses.
The Central Africa Borderlands programme—funded since 2024 by the European Union Delegation and implemented through various projects led by Concordis International, the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, CIVIPOL, and FSD (Swiss Foundation for Mine Action)—aims to prevent and mitigate the impact of local conflicts in the border areas of the Central African Republic, Cameroon, Chad, and Sudan, particularly those linked to the sharing and management of natural resources.
As part of this programme, and over the next three years, a consortium comprising Iram and GIST Research Ltd—working in coordination with the Central Africa Forest Observatory—will conduct two studies annually on the dynamics and impact of transhumance regarding the "peace-pastoralism-conservation" nexus, while also supporting information-sharing and dissemination activities at both regional and national levels.
An observatory has been established to generate, structure, and share information on these dynamics along the borders of the Central African Republic, Chad, Cameroon, and Sudan. It relies on a regular monitoring system that cross-references field data, analyses, and partner contributions, enabling a better understanding of the interactions between pastoralism, peace, and conservation, as well as how they evolve over time. The observatory aims to clarify ongoing dynamics, leverage existing knowledge, facilitate information sharing among stakeholders, and inform policy dialogue at various levels. A monitoring bulletin is produced and distributed quarterly as part of this observatory's activities. You can download the April–June 2026 bulletin below.