PORTO-NOVO, Benin (Nouvelles PAMACC) - Depuis plusieurs années au Bénin, la transhumance réunit tous les signes d’un conflit mille et une fois reporté.
Il n’y a pas de saison où elle n’a pas eu ses morts et cela risque de ne pas s’arrêter si la méthode de gestion de cette activité ne change pas. De la révolution à la rupture, la transhumance apparait comme un phénomène sur lequel tous les gouvernements au Bénin se sont fracassés.
Enquête
De quoi s’agit-il en fait ? Selon Louis Gnaho, Docteur Vétérinaire à la retraite, « la transhumance est un mouvement cyclique et pendulaire des éleveurs en raison des difficultés dans leur localité d’origine de faire face aux nécessités d’affouragement, c’est-à-dire, de pâturage et d’abreuvement du bétail ».
Pour Marcel Houinato, Enseignant-Chercheur à l’Université d’Abomey-Calavi, « c’est un système d’élevage comme tout autre. L’éleveur quitte sa région avec son troupeau où les ressources font défaut pour aller vers d’autres localités où ces ressources sont disponibles, tout en ayant le regard derrière et retourne dès que les ressources sont reconstituées sur son territoire ».
La transhumance devrait alors se dérouler sans accroc. Elle ne devient un problème que lorsqu’elle est mal gérée. Le problème, indique l’Enseignant-Chercheur, c’est beaucoup plus lié à la traversée des zones qui n’étaient pas habituées à recevoir un grand nombre de bétail et en plus, la fréquentation de ces localités par les animaux à un moment où les activités agricoles sont encore en cours.
Agonli : la zone de prédilection de la transhumance
Covè, Zagnannado, Ouinhi et Zogbodomè sont des communes du département du Zou, au Bénin, très proches de la vallée de l’Ouémé. C’est là, où les plaines inondables offrent beaucoup plus de possibilité d’alimentation au bétail.
C’est d’ailleurs pour cela, qu’à chaque saison, la zone est envahie par une horde de troupeaux : dix à cinquante mille têtes de bœuf, en quête de la vaine pâture et de l’eau. Ils viennent le plus souvent du Burkina faso, du Niger, du Mali et du Nigéria.
Pour James Bojrènou, un citoyen de cette région, cette période qui va de la mi-décembre jusqu’à fin mars, est un traumatisme pour les populations de l’arrondissement de Tohouè, dans la commune de Ouinhi.
L’intéressé se souvient de ce qui s’est passé le 31 janvier 2013 dans son arrondissement. Sous prétexte de punir les habitants de cette localité pour les avoir chassés, les peulhs ont brulé tout sur leur passage au niveau du village de Tohouè.
Dès fois vous avez plus de bœufs que d’habitants. Quand ils passent, souligne Florent Hessou un autre citoyen de cette même région, ils réduisent tout en poussière. Or, il y a une loi qui organise cette activité. Il s’agit de la loi n°87-013 du 21 septembre 1987 portant règlementation de la vaine pâture, de la garde des animaux domestiques et de la transhumance.
Elle prévoit pour tout troupeau étranger, les portes d’entrée, les itinéraires et les zones d’accueil ou de transhumance. Elle détermine les périodes de transhumance. Le retour des éleveurs et des troupeaux transhumants dans leur pays d’origine est obligatoire.
La transhumance : un nid de corruption
Malgré toutes les dispositions prises, rien ne se passe comme l’ont prévu la loi et les textes. Beaucoup d’attitudes répréhensibles sont rapportées. Les témoignages sur des faits de corruption ne manquent pas.
Morceaux choisis, « les peulhs sont conscients des dégâts qu’ils causent. Quand ils viennent, ils corrompent toutes les autorités. En 2009, quand j’étais devenu le Maire d’une des quatre communes concernées par la transhumance, les peulhs sont allés me voir. Ils m’ont apporté quatre (4) millions. Ils m’ont dit que c’est mon cadeau. En plus, ils me proposent deux bœufs pour le nouvel an. J’étais scandalisé. Et comme je n’ai pas pris, ils sont revenus avec deux millions en plus, pensant que j’ai refusé parce que je jugeais la première offre insuffisante. Voilà comment ils fonctionnent. J’ai compris le système. Donc, ils corrompent tout le monde et quand ils commettent des forfais ils sont absous, confesse un ancien maire de la commune de Ouinhi ».
Le Préfet du département du Zou, à l’époque où nous réalisions notre enquête, a reconnu les cas de corruption dans les rangs des forces de l’ordre, qu’il a d’ailleurs sanctionnées, nous a-t-il dit. Mais quand il était question de nous trouver un peulh pour faire confirmer tout ce que nous avons entendu, l’autorité s’est pris les pieds dans le tapis. « Tu connais le peulh qui garde mes bœufs disait-il à son garde du corps, dis-lui de venir ». Cela confirme ce que nous avait dit l’ancien maire de Ouinhi : «Tous ceux qui ont une parcelle de pouvoir dans le département objet de l’enquête sur la transhumance sont des éleveurs ». Un autre maire, celui de Zogbodomè reconnait que la transhumance est « une cohabitation obligée malgré le fait que cela soit un danger pour nous »
A qui la faute ?
Aux intermédiaires d’abord. Il s’agit du premier contact du peulh avant son entrée dans une région. Ce sont ces derniers qui arrangent la situation du peulh et ses troupeaux auprès des élus locaux, des chefs de terre et de toute autre personne influente de la région.
En payant ces différents services et ces différentes personnes, le peulh se dit qu’il acquiert ainsi pour ses troupeaux le droit de tout brouter. Donc le plus souvent, il s’étonne de la réaction des agriculteurs et de toute autre personne supposée victime des gaffes de ses bêtes.
C’est l’origine des conflits avec à l’arrivée, des dégâts énormes d’un côté comme de l’autre et des morts. Dans cette région Ouest-Africaine où les changements du climat vont conduire de plus en plus à l’assèchement de certains cours d’eau, rivières, lacs et fleuves, qu’adviendra-t-il ?
Cela voudrait dire, des départs précoces pour les éleveurs et leurs troupeaux des régions du Sahel et un retour tardif voir une installation définitive dans les régions plus humides. Cela voudrait dire aussi que les populations des régions traversées, confrontées à la précarité ne voudront plus de peulh dans leur contrée.
La confrontation sera inévitable. Et comme le dit un responsable des structures du ministère de l’agriculture, le gouvernement béninois a beaucoup à gagner en organisant cette filière.
Il propose la mise en place d’un projet dont le rôle est de produire les fourrages et d’installer des points d’eau dans des zones bien déterminées de façon à rendre sédentaire le peulh et ses troupeaux contre une rémunération.
C’est à ce seul prix que la transhumance cessera de laisser derrière elle, des cadavres à chaque passage. Dans tous les cas, pays de provenance des peulh, institutions sous régionales, observent de loin le Bénin gérer ce fardeau, au nom d’un fameux principe : celui de la libre circulation des personnes et des biens.
BONN, Germany (PAMACC News) - A popular slogan with climate activists in global climate negotiations is "kick polluters out". But fossil fuel companies are still welcome at the UN climate talks.
The influence of the fossil fuel industry and other polluting industries has become a central topic of concern for governments.
The issue of conflicts of interest and how to best ensure the integrity of the UNFCCC process once again dominated the climate talks in Bonn, Germany as governments launched what is meant to be a formative year for climate policy.
Talks on developing a conflict of interest policy ended with a mandate to talk more next time.
The African Group, Ecuador and Cuba and the Africa group had advocated such a policy which is opposed by the US, EU, Canada, Norway and Australia.
Both sides have agreed to identify opportunities "to further enhance the openness, transparency, inclusiveness of the effective engagement of non-party stakeholders".
"Once again, the United States and its pro-fossil fuel allies are on the wrong side of history, putting Big Polluters before people and the planet. But today's results prove that no amount of obstruction from the U.S. and its Big Polluter allies will ultimately prevent this movement from advancing.
And while Global North obstructionism mired these talks in delays, obstruction and censorship, Global South leaders prevailed in securing a clear path forward for the conflict of interest movement, ensuring the issue will be front and center next year," said Jesse Bragg of Corporate Accountability.
Delivering the Goals of the Paris Agreement
This year 2018 can make it or break it for climate change as the Paris Agreement passes through its first test.
Front-runner countries and civil society representatives have presented a concrete road-map of how they are enhancing climate plans by 2020 in an attempt to push other states to commit to doing the same at the upcoming UN Climate negotiations (COP24) that will be held in Katowice, Poland.
Countries need to send a clear signal in COP24 that they will enhance their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) by 2020 if the goal to keep warming below 1.5C is to be reached.
"I would say that COP24 in Katowice is probably the most critical meeting since Paris," said Alden Meyer, Director, Strategy and Policy, Union of Concerned Scientists. "The world will be watching to see if countries are serious about implementing and strengthening the Paris Agreement. We have a mandate to adopt a package of rules to implement the Paris agreement across a range of issues".
Civil Society Action
A day to the end of the Bonn talks, major civil society and non-party stakeholder groups demanded that government's follow-up the Paris Agreement with increased urgent action to prevent average global warming from rising 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
Groups highlighted that Parties must reinforce this Paris Agreement goal and commit to enhanced action as a matter of survival for vulnerable countries.
"For the world's most vulnerable people keeping global warming to 1.5 degrees is not just a 'nice to have', it is essential to ensure they can maintain and improve their way of life," said Mohamed Adow, International Climate Lead at Christian Aid.
The Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) also noted that climate change should no longer be isolated to environmental and scientific issue.
It stated that the issues of poverty, justice, equity, economic, humanitarian, food security and political dimensions of climate change must not be overlooked.
"It has stunted the growth of some economies while big economies fear cutting emissions will affect them," said Olivia Adhiambo, Policy and Advocacy Manager at PACJA.
As the 2020 implementation date of the Paris Agreement draws close, it is expected that big oil and coal interest groups and climate deniers do not succeed in their struggle to undo the progress made in the fight against the climate crisis.
BONN, Germany (PAMACC News) - A popular slogan with climate activists in global climate negotiations is "kick polluters out". But fossil fuel companies are still welcome at the UN climate talks.
The influence of the fossil fuel industry and other polluting industries has become a central topic of concern for governments.
The issue of conflicts of interest and how to best ensure the integrity of the UNFCCC process once again dominated the climate talks in Bonn, Germany as governments launched what is meant to be a formative year for climate policy.
Talks on developing a conflict of interest policy ended with a mandate to talk more next time.
The African Group, Ecuador and Cuba and the Africa group had advocated such a policy which is opposed by the US, EU, Canada, Norway and Australia.
Both sides have agreed to identify opportunities "to further enhance the openness, transparency, inclusiveness of the effective engagement of non-party stakeholders".
"Once again, the United States and its pro-fossil fuel allies are on the wrong side of history, putting Big Polluters before people and the planet. But today's results prove that no amount of obstruction from the U.S. and its Big Polluter allies will ultimately prevent this movement from advancing.
And while Global North obstructionism mired these talks in delays, obstruction and censorship, Global South leaders prevailed in securing a clear path forward for the conflict of interest movement, ensuring the issue will be front and center next year," said Jesse Bragg of Corporate Accountability.
Delivering the Goals of the Paris Agreement
This year 2018 can make it or break it for climate change as the Paris Agreement passes through its first test.
Front-runner countries and civil society representatives have presented a concrete road-map of how they are enhancing climate plans by 2020 in an attempt to push other states to commit to doing the same at the upcoming UN Climate negotiations (COP24) that will be held in Katowice, Poland.
Countries need to send a clear signal in COP24 that they will enhance their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) by 2020 if the goal to keep warming below 1.5C is to be reached.
"I would say that COP24 in Katowice is probably the most critical meeting since Paris," said Alden Meyer, Director, Strategy and Policy, Union of Concerned Scientists. "The world will be watching to see if countries are serious about implementing and strengthening the Paris Agreement. We have a mandate to adopt a package of rules to implement the Paris agreement across a range of issues".
Civil Society Action
A day to the end of the Bonn talks, major civil society and non-party stakeholder groups demanded that government's follow-up the Paris Agreement with increased urgent action to prevent average global warming from rising 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
Groups highlighted that Parties must reinforce this Paris Agreement goal and commit to enhanced action as a matter of survival for vulnerable countries.
"For the world's most vulnerable people keeping global warming to 1.5 degrees is not just a 'nice to have', it is essential to ensure they can maintain and improve their way of life," said Mohamed Adow, International Climate Lead at Christian Aid.
The Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) also noted that climate change should no longer be isolated to environmental and scientific issue.
It stated that the issues of poverty, justice, equity, economic, humanitarian, food security and political dimensions of climate change must not be overlooked.
"It has stunted the growth of some economies while big economies fear cutting emissions will affect them," said Olivia Adhiambo, Policy and Advocacy Manager at PACJA.
As the 2020 implementation date of the Paris Agreement draws close, it is expected that big oil and coal interest groups and climate deniers do not succeed in their struggle to undo the progress made in the fight against the climate crisis.
BONN, Germany (PAMACC News) - As the Bonn climate talks came to close on May 10, civil society and non-party stakeholder groups reiterated their call for urgent climate action.
The groups demand that governments follow-up the Paris Agreement with increased urgent action to prevent average global warming from rising 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
At an action event at the Bonn climate change talks in advance of the closing session of the Talanoa Dialogue, groups highlighted that Parties must reinforce the Paris Agreement goal and commit to enhanced action as a matter of survival for vulnerable countries.
“Perception on climate change has changed over the years,” said Olivia Adhiambo, Policy and Advocacy Manager at the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance. “Though we may differ on what action to take, the consensus across the world is that the climate has changed, and that someone somewhere has caused the problem. Climate change is no longer an isolated scientific and environmental issue, it has dimensions in all human development indicators.”
Adhiambo says PACJA believes that climate change is a poverty issue because it has exacerbated poverty in the world; an equity issue because it disproportionately affects the poor nd vulnerable countries and sectors of the society, and a justice issue because it was caused by rich people and the poor are mostly affected.
For the last nine days, delegates have been negotiating the various technical issues under the UNFCCC technical and implementation bodies, the Subsidiary Body for implementaion (SBI), and the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA).
Key among the issues discussed include climate finance, a key enabler to the implementation of the Paris Agreement, importance of Agriculture to developing country parties in terms of adaptation, the finalization of the Paris Rule book for implementation, and increasing climate ambition through the Talanoa dialoge regarding emission cuts. This is view of the fact that the current collective pledges made under the Paris Agreement, are not enough to meet the target of limiting global temperature rise to below 1.5 oC.
In fact, according to the analysis, even a full implementation of current unconditional and conditional Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) makes a temperature increase of at least 3oC by 2100 very likely.
“In a world that is already warmer by about 1ºC, people and communities around the world are already facing serious threats to their human rights,” said Sebastien Duyck, Senior Attorney, Center for International Environmental Law, during a climate action event organsied by both the north and south civil society groups.
In line with a human rights approach, Duyck said the survival of the most exposed to the impacts of climate-related natural disasters is already at risk while the growing temperature undermines the rights to food, water and livelihood of millions.
“These human rights impacts will only grow in magnitude with the increase of temperatures - undermining the ability of the most vulnerable States to protect their own people. Keeping the increase of temperatures below 1.5ºC is a necessity to protect human rights,” he added.
The gender face of climate change impacts is not a debatable issue anymore. There is consensus that women are at the frontline of climate change impacts, and Luu Thi Thu Giang, Climate Change Specialist, CARE International, was categorical about this matter.
“Today climate change impacts already hit many poor people in developing countries, like in my own country Vietnam,” she said. “Climate change impacts women and men differently. Often, it is poor and marginalized women and girls who are most affected. However, they are essential agents of change to build resilience against climate change impacts and to achieve the rapid shift to renewable energies necessary for limiting climate disruption to 1.5 degrees Celsius of warming. Gender equality and climate action must go hand in hand.”
According to available climate science data, the impacts of climate change are already being felt, especially in developing countries. One way in which this is happening is through destruction to sensitive ecosystems that support millions of people’s livelihoods. And Sandeep Chamling Rai, Senior Advisor for Global Climate Adaptation Policy, at the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) believes the best way to protect against the already suffering millions of people, is to keep global temperature rise as low as possible.
“As the earth’s temperature rises, so does the threat of permanent loss of ecologically sensitive places and species,” he said.“Biodiversity loss at the scale we could be seeing over the coming decades will cause profound changes to the sensitive ecosystems that sustain the lives and livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people, mainly in vulnerable countries. The best way to protect against this is to keep global temperature rise as low as possible.”
Meanwhile, it os worth noting that the sustainability of urban cities has emerged as an important aspect of the climate discussions considering the role cities play in environmental management and protection. Therefore, the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI)’s Local Governments for Sustainability is leading the adena for susinable cities.
The aim is to help the ICLEI Network of up 1, 500 councils to become sustainable, low-carbon, resilient, ecomobile, biodiverse, resource-efficient and productive, through green economic and smart infrastructure, impacting over 25% of the global urban population.
And Yunus Arikan, Head of Global Policy and Advocacy, ICLEI said: “Failure to meet the 1.5-degree goal will hurt inhabitants in all human settlements, from poles to islands and from coastal zones to drylands, in particular the urban poor. Climate neutrality is the backbone of the success of Paris Agreement, and it cannot be achieved without climate neutral cities and regions.”
In its efforts to promote sustainable cities, through the Talanoa Dialogues in more than 50 cities and regions, ICLEI is working with local, regional and national governments to seize the opportunity of the Urban World to turn the 1.5 degrees celcisusgoal into a reality.
It is without question that the vulnerable people are at the centre of climate talks, mainly because they are suffering for something that they have not caused. And Mohamed Adow, International Climate Lead, Christian Aidbelieves that keeping global warming to 1.5 degrees for the world’s most vulnerable people is not just a ‘nice to have’, but rather essential to ensure they maintain and improve their way of life
“The world warms at different rates and in Africa where I am from, a global average rise of 2 degrees equates to much more extreme temperatures,” he said.“For low-lying island states, a 2-degree rise will mean being wiped from the map as sea level rise threatens to wash them away. If rich countries are to be believed when it talks about solidarity with the poor then they need make sure we’re on track for a world that these people can live in.”
The message from civil society groups is loud and clear—urgent and ambitious climate action to keep the planet safe. However, while the clear picture of what has been achieve at the Bonn talks is yet to be established, UNFCCC Executive Secretary indicated a positive outlook during a medaai round table on Monday.
“The reports I am getting so far, are positive, including on the Talanoa Dialogue,” Espinosa said. “As you know the discussions about how to capture and derive from the Talanoa dialogue, general conclusions, is only starting now, it’s only a new process, it’s the first phase which happened yesterday, and delegations are starting now to think about what they would like to see as the outcome of the dialogue.”
