Farm co-ops mend communities in Central African Republic
When the latest civil war broke out in 2013 in Central African Republic, Muslim and Christian communities found themselves torn apart. In the town of Sibut, a farm cooperative has eased mistrust and brought the communities together by working toward a common goal.
When a mostly Muslim rebel alliance toppled the national government in 2014, Christian militias rose up in opposition. The violence meted out during the conflict sowed deep distrust. In Sibut, the Fulani people were seen as aligned with the rebels. They fled to escape reprisals, and when they eventually returned in 2020, they found their land and livestock had been stolen.
‘During the crisis, we lost our oxen, and upon our return, it was difficult to be accepted by others despite the support of local authorities,’ said Abiba, a leader of Fulani women who heads the Meya section of the Nouvel Elan de Kpabé cooperative.
Even before the war, Central African Republic was among the world’s least developed countries. For many, farming is the only way to survive, Abiba said.
‘The authorities insisted that we be allocated plots of land. But then our fields were vandalized, and our produce was regularly stolen,’ said Abiba. ‘But since becoming members of the cooperative, things have changed. We have secured plots that are no longer vandalized, and our produce is better protected.’
The cooperative facilitated reconciliation, so the once-displaced Fulani could rejoin the community’s life. Traditionally, the Fulani were herders, so they needed guidance to start planting and harvesting crops.
The International Trade Centre (ITC) supported this work through the Programme to Support the Promotion of Entrepreneurship in Urban and Rural Locales, known as PAPEUR Rural.
‘With our presence in the cooperative, we are increasingly accepted by others here in Sibut. We now have a neighbourhood called Siriri (peace), which we share with people from other communities. I believe the support of our brothers and sisters in the cooperative was crucial for our acceptance. This year, PAPEUR Rural sent us a tractor that plowed our six hectares. Additionally, we received training and seeds. Now, we are full-fledged farmers,’ Abiba said proudly.
Last year, PAPEUR Rural cleared eight hectares, and then plowed and harrowed six hectares belonging to the Fulani community. They’ve now harvested 4.5 tons of maize for sale.
The Méya section initially comprised solely Fulani women, but is now been open to men and other residents of Sibut, marking a renewed sense of reconciliation.
‘In 2020, when these Fulani individuals returned, tensions were high,’ said Igor Ngaisse, president of the Sibut cooperative. ‘Several initiatives failed, and despite their willingness to engage in agriculture, they were forced to depend on NGOs support.’
He said that their membership in the cooperative helped the community understand the plight of Fulani who had fled but returned. That’s a profound shift in a country like the Central African Republic.
‘I acknowledge that it was difficult, but their membership helped the local community understand their situation, making the reintegration process easier,’ he said.
