Cameroon: Endemic Agro-Pastoral Conflicts in Menchum.

This paper aims at dispelling the misconception that the prevalence of agro-pastoral conflicts in Menchum Division of North West Cameroon is because stakeholders have no interest in resolving them. Such disputes have been a common feature in the country where economic resources generate protracted clashes not only between ethnic groups, villages and individuals, but also over the choices of economic activity. From simple crop damage, the opposition between farmers and graziers has been taking many forms, ranging from daily quarrels, frequent exchange of blows, mob demonstrations and litigation, to the use of mystical powers and conventional weapons. Although these struggles are common throughout the division, Esu, Kuk, Mmen and Wumhave singled themselves out as hotbeds. The consequences of these clashes are reflected in almost all spheres of life, including the economy, education, ethnicity, gender, health, human rights, justice, nutrition, peace and politics. In the face of these catastrophic effects, the administration and people of Menchumhave have been trying in many ways to curb the disputes, albeit without any remarkable success. In 1947, Cattle Control Rules were instituted by Native Authorities who, unfortunately, lacked the legal basis to enforce any decisions and so the 1962 Control of Farming and Grazing Law was brought into force. But it also proved unworkable because stakeholders openly and obstinately refused to obey its provisions. Even the 1978 Presidential Decree creating a statutory organ (the Farmer Grazier Commission) for the settlement of conflicts has remained a toothless bulldog. Other administrative policies, such as demarcation of land, introduction of mixed farming and the barbed wire scheme intended to facilitate peaceful coexistence between the two rival activities, were implemented without any remarkable success. The holding of meetings with stakeholders, the proposals made by the World Food Organization (FAO) in 1962 and the laying down of resolutions by commissions of inquiry like the Nseke Commission (1973) and Koumpa Issa Commission (2003) were other unsuccessful measures aimed at resolving disagreements. Instead of dissipating, conflicts rather escalated, becoming acute and chronic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]