Senegal Hosts Regional Workshop in Dakar to Tackle Livestock Theft in West Africa and the Sahel
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Senegal’s Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Livestock, Mabouba Diagne, warned that livestock theft is no longer a localized criminal issue but a broader threat to economic stability, food security, and social cohesion.
Beyond the direct financial losses suffered by herders, Diagne said the phenomenon undermines pastoral mobility, fuels tensions between communities, and can exacerbate insecurity in already fragile areas of the Sahel.
“Cattle rustling poses a serious risk to economic stability, food systems, social peace, and cross-border pastoral practices,” the minister said.
Cross-Border Criminal Networks Exploit Weak Controls
Participants noted that livestock theft has taken on a transnational dimension, with criminal networks exploiting porous borders, weak monitoring systems, and the seasonal movement of herds across countries.
In many parts of West Africa and the Sahel, stolen cattle are quickly transported across borders and sold through informal markets, making it difficult for authorities to trace animals or dismantle trafficking networks. Experts at the workshop highlighted the role of organized crime groups that profit from gaps in coordination between national institutions.
Call for Integrated National and Regional Strategies
Minister Diagne urged states in the region to develop and implement clear, integrated, and ambitious national strategies to address the problem. He stressed that responses must go beyond security operations and incorporate judicial, economic, technical, and social measures.
Such strategies, he said, should be adapted to local realities while remaining aligned with regional and cross-border dynamics. Strengthening livestock identification systems, improving border cooperation, and supporting pastoral communities were among the key priorities discussed.
FAO Pushes for Regional Cooperation
The FAO emphasized the importance of regional coordination, noting that no single country can effectively address livestock theft in isolation. The organization is expected to use the outcomes of the Dakar workshop to help guide future policies, technical assistance programs, and cross-border initiatives.
As climate pressures, insecurity, and competition over natural resources intensify in the Sahel, participants agreed that addressing livestock theft is essential for protecting livelihoods and maintaining stability across the region.
