ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION BETWEEN FARMERS AND HERDERS IN CHAD

Conflicts between farmers and herders in Chad have become very frequent in recent years. The judicial settlement of these conflicts seems to show their limits for obvious reasons. In principle justice is necessarily expressed through a sentence when the solution of the dispute requires an act of authority or even legal violence. But in certain cases the decision imposed by the force of the judgment is not the best way to put an end to the dispute. Sustainable conflict prevention requires investment in cultures of peace and formal and informal institutions dedicated to nonviolent conflict resolution. Despite the difficulties and shortcomings noted in the implementation of the Laoukassy Convention and the persistence of conflicts in this province it must be recognized that it is a commendable pilot initiative that should be explored and encouraged. It is up to the State to support these types of existing dynamics in similar contexts by clearly defining the rules of the game and monitoring their application with all due speed.