The Wodaabe are an indigenous people found in Niger and throughout North Africa. While they follow the nomadic lifestyle of cattle herding and some trading, their land rights are threatened by the Nigerien government’s encouragement of farm settlements. Photo Credit: Meryt Harding
Author: Hawine Eticha
Ogoni vs. Shell
Ogoni have faced devastating effects of the presence of Shell Oil company in Ogoniland in Nigeria since the 1950s. They also face discrimination from the Nigerian government, which favors the oil company over the local community. Photo Credit: Spilled News
Indigenous Peoples vs. Al Ain Wildlife
In the Jonglei Region of South Sudan, indigenous Anuak, Murle, Jie, and Kachipo communities were forced to relocate because of a land deal between the government and the UAE company Al Ain National Wildlife, which seeks to use the land for a national park and lodge. Photo Credit: Africa Sustainable Conservation News
Fellata vs. Citadel Capital and Concord Agriculture
In the Unity State of South Sudan, community land comprising 105,000 hectares was leased to an Egyptian company in 2009 for 25 years. The company, Citadel Capital, seeks to use the land to grow maize and sorghum. Photo Credit: Tim Mckulka
Suri vs. Lim Siow Jin Estate
The Ethiopia government leased land to Malaysian company Lim Siow Jin Estate in the Bench Maji Zone of the SNNPR (Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Region) region in 2011. However, the 31,000-hectare large plantation overlaps with the land of the Suri people and has had negative effects on their traditional pastoral livelihood.
Sherkole and Tsore Refugee Camps
The Benishangul-Gumuz region is home to refugee camps housing refugees from Sudan and South Sudan, while additionally housing internally displaced people within Ethiopia. Furthermore, ethnic conflict and lack of resources have exacerbated issues in the region. Photo Credit: Africa News.
The Kuraz Sugar Development Project
In the Lower Omo Valley in Ethiopia, several indigenous groups including Murle, Kara, Mursi, Suri, Bodi and Dassanech have been harmed by the Kuraz Sugar Development Project. Photo Credit: The Oakland Institute.
Indigenous Peoples vs. Gibe III Dam
The Mursi and Nyangatom are two of many pastoralist groups in the SNNPR region of Ethiopia, and surrounding area, who risk losing access to their resources, especially water, because of a series of dams being built along the Omo River. Photo credit: Salini Impregilo
Afar in Djibouti
Afar are a pastoralist ethnic group in Eastern Africa. In Djibouti, they face harsh conditions and struggle to sustain their lifestyle. Photo Credit: Eric Lafforgue.
Rif vs. Jerada Mining
Jerada is a small mining town in the Al Hoceima region of Morocco. Rif people face horrible living conditions due to the government’s preference to allow extractive industries such as mining, rather than develop programs and services for Rif people. Photo Credit: Public Radio International