By Munzoul Assal

One of the basic factors in conflict between pastoralists and farmers and among pastoralists in Western Sudan is land tenure system. This is the case in Darfur especially where land and ethnic boundaries correspond. The land tenure system in the region followed a pattern where particular ethnic groups were given right over a particular piece of land locally known as dar or hakura. In some instances, such lands are known by the name of the ethnic or tribal group to which it belongs. Since pastoralists straddle boundaries, fixing them is a specific location creates conflicts. Added to the traditional land tenure system, in recent years government intervention through land lease and administrative divisions and re-divisions compounded conflicts and made it difficult for pastoralists to pursue their desired style of life. The article draws on material from Darfur and shows that in recent years conflicts in the region are instigated basically by land related problems.