Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Land-Grabbing, Tribal Conflict, And Settler-Nomad Disputes: Land Rights In Mine Action, Nicholas Ross

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Mine action is intrinsically linked to land rights. While mine action creates multi-dimensional positive humanitarian and development impacts, clearance of explosive ordnance (EO) and land release can lead to competition, contestation, and potential conflict over that land. Settled farmers lay claim and block access to lands which nomadic pastoralists traverse or use for grazing. Local strongmen grab and confiscate land. Families returning from displacement find their ancestral lands seized. And governments and citizens may have very different ideas about who should own lands close to communities which, following EO clearance, are now more productive, where resources are more accessible, and …