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Land tenure reforms and persistence of land conflicts in Sub-Saharan Africa – The case of Botswana

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  • Kalabamu, Faustin Tirwirukwa

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to interrogate and analyse the nature, extent and causes of land conflicts in Sub-Saharan Africa taking Botswana as a case study. The paper is based on desk-top surveys and review of literature on land tenure reforms and conflicts in the subcontinent and beyond. Synthesis of the literature shows that, despite international support and a series of tenure reforms undertaken by various post-independence governments, land conflicts - defined as disputes, disagreements and contestations over property rights and interests – appear to have raged on unabated. In some countries, land conflicts appear to have intensified in terms of magnitude and frequency. Furthermore, intensification and growth of land conflicts has exacerbated inequalities inherited from colonial regimes as well as created new platforms for social injustices and political instability. These trends contradict the common aim of land tenure reforms: which is to promote socio-economic development and environmental sustainability on the backdrop of peace, social justice and equality.

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  • Kalabamu, Faustin Tirwirukwa, 2019. "Land tenure reforms and persistence of land conflicts in Sub-Saharan Africa – The case of Botswana," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 337-345.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:lauspo:v:81:y:2019:i:c:p:337-345
    DOI: 10.1016/j.landusepol.2018.11.002
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    7. Furui Xi & Runping Wang & Jusong Shi & Jinde Zhang & Yang Yu & Na Wang & Zhiyi Wang, 2022. "Spatio-Temporal Pattern and Conflict Identification of Production–Living–Ecological Space in the Yellow River Basin," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-22, May.
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    11. Ibrahim, Abdul-Salam & Abubakari, Mohammed & Akanbang, Bernard A.A. & Kepe, Thembela, 2022. "Resolving land conflicts through Alternative Dispute Resolution: Exploring the motivations and challenges in Ghana," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 120(C).
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    14. Adekola, Oluwafemi & Krigsholm, Pauliina & Riekkinen, Kirsikka, 2021. "Towards a holistic land law evaluation in sub-Saharan Africa: A novel framework with an application to Rwanda’s organic land law 2005," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 103(C).
    15. Bekele, Adugna Eneyew & Drabik, Dusan & Dries, Liesbeth & Heijman, Wim, 2022. "Large-scale land investments and land-use conflicts in the agro-pastoral areas of Ethiopia," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    16. Jamaluddin Hos & Siti Kusujiarti & Jumintono & Ambo Upe & Muhammad Arsyad & Hasniah & Firdaus Yuni Dharta & Jemma Natanson, 2022. "Conflict Management in Multiethnic Communities: a Case Study in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia," Journal of International Migration and Integration, Springer, vol. 23(4), pages 1963-1985, December.
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    18. Shirzad, Hossein & Barati, Ali Akbar & Ehteshammajd, Shaghayegh & Goli, Imaneh & Siamian, Narges & Moghaddam, Saghi Movahhed & Pour, Mahdad & Tan, Rong & Janečková, Kristina & Sklenička, Petr & Azadi,, 2022. "Agricultural land tenure system in Iran: An overview," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 123(C).
    19. Krul, Kees & Ho, Peter & Yang, Xiuyun, 2021. "Land titling as a conflict remedy or driver? Analyzing institutional outcomes through latent and manifest conflicts in China’s forest sector," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 100(C).
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    21. Zhou, Yang & Li, Xunhuan & Liu, Yansui, 2020. "Rural land system reforms in China: History, issues, measures and prospects," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).

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