Traditional mechanisms and management of rural land conflicts

Despite the numerous legislative and regulatory texts adopted by Burkina Faso over the last few years to improve land management, rural land conflicts continue to be among the leading types of community conflict recorded in the country in general and in the commune of Komsilga in particular. The prevention and peaceful management of rural land conflicts are ensured through jurisdictional and non-jurisdictional mechanisms. Among non-jurisdictional mechanisms, it appears that apart from negotiation conducted directly by the conflicting parties, the populations of the commune of Komsilga opt primarily for traditional methods of prevention and peaceful management of land disputes. The two main techniques used by customary and traditional authorities in the prevention and peaceful management of rural land disputes are facilitation and mediation. The use of traditional mechanisms has produced significant results, but there are still shortcomings and limitations associated with these mechanisms and techniques.