This report explores the role of youth in farmer-herder conflict, based on case studies from Sudan and Nigeria. Youth are significantly under-represented in the literature on farmer–herder conflict in Africa. When discussed, they are described mainly as victims or perpetrators, rather than as actors with multifaceted roles. Female youth are almost never mentioned. Yet male and female youth are the majority population on the continent and make significant contributions to farming and pastoralism, as well as their communities.
This report addresses this gap. It explores the experiences and roles of male and female youth in conflict, as well as the impacts of conflict on them. Sudan in eastern Africa and Nigeria in western Africa were selected for contrast. Focus group discussions and key informant interviews were conducted in two case study locations, in two countries: Azaza Sogora village in Gadarif State, Sudan, and Jangargari village in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Transcripts were analysed through content analysis, and key insights were distilled.