The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Economic Community of Central Africa States (ECCAS) have jointly expressed worry over the spate of killings that have taken the centre space between local farmers and herdsmen.
The regional communities, rising from a Summit they held in Lome, Togo today, Monday, said: “we are seriously concerned by the upsurge in the violent conflicts between herders and farmers due to the adverse effects of climate change.”
In a communique termed: Lome Declaration, heads of the 26-nation two regional communities instructed ministers responsible for agriculture, livestock and security to hold regular consultations on how to tackle the menace.
They resolved to involve herders, farmers and other relevant bodies for the purpose of identifying measures for the prevention and peaceful management of the conflicts.
“Furthermore, the Heads of State and Government instructed their relevant ministers to consider issues relating to migration and climate change in their common space and submit a report in that regard at their next Summit.
“The Heads of State and Government commit to strengthen cooperation in order to effectively check all forms of insecurity. To this end, they instruct the President of the ECOWAS commission and the Secretary General of ECCAS to conclude and implement procedures on mutual legal assistance and judicial cooperation.
“In particular, a Cooperation Agreement on criminal police matters should be signed by the designated ministers of West and Central African countries before the end of 2018.”
