Put Out to Pasture: War, Oil and the Decline of Misseriyya Humr Pastoralism in Sudan

Author(s)
Pantuliano, S. et al.
Publication language
English
Pages
47pp
Date published
01 Mar 2009
Type
Research, reports and studies
Keywords
Conflict, violence & peace, Livelihoods
Countries
Sudan
Organisations
ODI
This report presents the findings of a study into the current
evolution of Misseriyya livelihoods commissioned by the UK
Department for International Development upon request from
UNMIS and UNRCSO Abyei. The study was conducted by a fiveperson
team comprising one Arabic-speaking, international
researcher with extensive knowledge of Sudan and pastoralism
and four experienced Sudanese researchers1 with expertise in
pastoralism, range management, animal production and
agricultural economics. All five researchers were familiar with
Dar Misseriyya and had conducted substantive fieldwork in the
region in the past. Two team members hailed from the region
itself, a factor which facilitated access to stakeholders in many
of the areas visited.
 
Data collection and field analysis focused on assets,
livelihoods strategies and outcomes, which were examined
within the broader environmental, social, political and
economic context to take into account the institutions,
policies and processes affecting the changes Misseriyya
livelihoods are undergoing. Special attention was paid to the
relationships between different interest groups in the area, to
map evidence of competition over resources and to identify
other points of possible conflict.