Policy Framework for Pastoralism in Africa

Abebe Haile GabrielDirector,

Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture

African Union Commission

The Pastoral Policy Initiative: background

• Peculiar features/challenges of pastoralism in Africa

– extreme and worsening levels of poverty and food insecurity;

– Political and economical marginalization;

– environmental degradation and dwindling access to resources (land, water, pastures) and basic services (e.g. health, education);

– uneven market relationships and increased pressure on fragile eco-systems

– exposure to climatic risks, diseases, conflicts and insecurity

The Pastoral Policy Initiative: background

• Inadequacy/irrelevance of Responses – Inadequate governance frameworks, – ineffective institutional settings, – Policy biases against pastoralists (e.g.,

development and trade), – Ineffective interventions because of their

irrelevance (don’t reflect pastoralist realities and circumstances)

The Pastoral Policy Initiative: background

• A Joint AUC and the UNOCHA initiative for the development of a pan African Policy Framework for Pastoralism;

• Formally launched in July 2007, in Isiolo, Kenya

• Objective: – to develop a policy framework that will

help in promoting development processes that address the peculiar challenges and needs of pastoral communities

The Pastoral Policy Initiative: background

• Goal: develop a Policy Framework which will:– serve as an advocacy tool for promoting the development and improvement

of pastoral communities across Africa;

– serve as a mechanism through which matters that affect pastoralist life and livelihood find official recognition;

– aim primarily at securing and protecting the rights of pastoral people;

– lay the foundation for a continent-wide commitment to political, social and economic development of pastoral communities;

– provide pastoral people with open space for the definition and management of their own development activities;

– make it possible for appropriate interventions to address the natural, physical and anthropogenic problems of pastoral communities; and

– Create/expand economic opportunities for pastoral people.

The Pastoral Policy Initiative: background

• Specialist Task Force was set up (composed of high level experts from each of the regions) to:

– serve as quality assurance mechanism, providing periodic guidance at each stage of the process of elaborating the pastoral policy framework.

– serve as the interface between the technical and the political setting of the initiative;

The Pastoral Policy Initiative: the roadmap

Regional Assessments

Stakeholders Consultations

Policy Adoption

by Political Leaders

Policy Implementation

Policy Framework Development

7. AU Summit adopts Decision

6. Ministers approve PF

5. MS Experts examine draft PF

8. Member States, RECs,

& Stakeholders

use PF to develop/review

policy 4. Draft Policy Framework is

validated

3. Draft Policy Framework is

prepared

2. Elements of the draft policy

framework

1. Assessment of situations

The Pastoral Policy Initiative: milestones

• Regional assessments and stakeholders consultations conducted between 2008-2010

• Draft policy framework approved by Ministerial Conference in October 2010;

• Ministerial Resolutions on Pastoralism in Africa approved by Executive Council in January 2011

• “Decision on Africa’s Pastoralism” adopted by AU Assembly of HS&G in January 2011

The Pastoral Policy Initiative: the framework

The AU Policy Framework for Pastoralism

1. Pastoralism in Context– Conceptualizes Pastoralism

• Three pillars: people, livestock, resources

• Mobility as defining characteristics

– Describes the geographical/ecological, economic, socio-cultural, contexts, 

AU Policy Framework for Pastoralism

Global processes

Geographical, Ecological

Political

Socio-Cultural

Economic

Demographic

Pastoralism in Context

AU Policy Framework for Pastoralism

2. Pastoralism and Policy in Africa– Outlines the colonial legacy and post-colonial policy environment, as

well as the contemporary pastoral policy and development challenges

• Conflict,

• Demography

• Global trends (globalisation, markets, decentralisation, ICT, food and financial crises, urbanisation, migration/remittances, organised crime, climate change, new diseases, etc.)

– probes the implications of these for pastoral development process 

AU Policy Framework for Pastoralism

3. Framework Principles, Objectives and Strategies

3.1. Principles• Recognizing the rights of pastoralists

• Engaging pastoralists in political and policy processes

• Pastoralism as a way of life and a production system

• The importance of strategic mobility

• The importance of regional approaches

• Managing risks

• Acknowledging & building on existing policy processes

• The need for updating the policy framework

AU Policy Framework for Pastoralism

3.2. Framework Objectives revolve around 2 main areas:

Objective 1:Secure and protect the lives, livelihoods and rights of pastoral peoples and ensure continent-wide commitment to political, social and economic development of pastoral communities and pastoral areas.

Objective 2Reinforce the contribution of pastoral livestock wealth to national, regional and continent-wide economies..

AU Policy Framework for Pastoralism

3.3. Strategies to achieve objectives

(a) Strategies to achieve Objective One: Recognize the role of pastoralism in development

Demonstrating commitment to pastoral policy development

Integrating pastoral issues into decision-making processes

Acknowledge the legitimacy of indigenous pastoral institutions

Strengthening the role and rights of women in pastoral communities

Mainstreaming pastoral issues in poverty reduction programs

Service delivery (health, education…)

AU Policy Framework for Pastoralism

(b) Strategies to achieve Objective Two

• Pastoral rangeland governance

• Policy support to mobility within and between countries

• Protecting pastoral livestock assets• Marketing of pastoral livestock and livestock products• Financial and insurance services tailored to pastoral areas• Protect African genetic resources –animals and plants

• Research and extension

AU Policy Framework for Pastoralism

4. Applying the Policy Framework • Initiation of Pastoral Policy Development• Key Steps in pastoral policy development• Strategies for pastoral policy development (roles,

indigenous institutions, consultations, legal framework, resources, communication)

• Implementation• Tracking progress in policy development and

implementation5. Conclusion

AU Policy Framework for Pastoralism

Decision on Africa’s Pastoralism (Ex.CL/Dec.618(XVIII)

The Executive Council:• TAKES NOTE of the pastoral policy initiative of the

Commission that aims to secure, protect and improve the lives, livelihoods and rights of pastoral communities

• APPROVES the Resolutions on “Policy Framework for Pastoralism in Africa” adopted by the Conference of African Ministers of Agriculture, held from 25-29 October 2010 in Lilongwe, Malawi

• URGES Member States to review their policies impacting pastoralism, in accordance with the Policy Framework, with a view to developing comprehensive policy which take into account the peculiar needs of pastoralism; and to build adequate human, financial, and technical capacities to support pastoral policy development, implementation and tracking progress;

AU Policy Framework for Pastoralism

The Executive Council:• ENCOURAGES pastoral networks and groups to

initiate regional and continental forums which would facilitate engagement with Regional Economic Communities, the Commission of the African Union, other relevant AU organs, and partners consistent with the objectives of the Policy Framework;

AU Policy Framework for Pastoralism

The Executive Council:• REQUESTS the Commission of the African Union and Regional

Economic Communities, together with development partners:– to strengthen and/or establish an appropriate institutional

framework to provide coordination of follow up activities and facilitate mutual learning by member states as they develop/review their pastoral policies in accordance with the Policy Framework.

– to put in place appropriate measures/mechanisms for mobilisation of financial resources and partnerships in support of promoting pastoral policy development and implementation at regional and country levels.

– to take appropriate measures for the establishment of mechanisms for progress tracking and periodic member states reporting on progress achieved;

– to support pastoral groups and networks in their efforts to initiate regional and/or continental pastoralist forums.

•  ALSO REQUESTS the Commission to report regularly on the implementation of this Decision.

AU Policy Framework for Pastoralism

Thank You for Your Attention!