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War-Induced Displacement: Hard Choices in Land Governance

Author

Listed:
  • Gemma van der Haar

    (Sociology of Development and Change group, Wageningen University, 6700 EW Wageningen, The Netherlands)

  • Mathijs van Leeuwen

    (Centre for International Conflict Analysis and Management, Institute for Management Research, Radboud University Nijmegen, 6500 HK Nijmegen, The Netherlands)

Abstract

Civil war and violence often force large numbers of people to leave their lands. Multiple waves of displacement and (partial) return generate complex overlapping claims that are not easily solved. As people return to their regions of origin—sometimes after decades—they tend to find their land occupied by other settlers, some of whom hold legal entitlements. In the places of arrival, displaced people affect other people’s access as they seek to turn their temporary entitlements into more definite claims. The overlapping claims related to displacement pose serious dilemmas to land governance, which existing land laws and land governance institutions are not well-equipped to deal with. This paper outlines the main challenges for land governance as a first step to move the debate forward. The paper summarises the key challenges around three tensions: first, between short term conflict resolution and structural solutions; second, between state and customary/community-based governance; and finally, between principles (such as the right to return or restitution) and acknowledgement of the new situation.

Suggested Citation

  • Gemma van der Haar & Mathijs van Leeuwen, 2019. "War-Induced Displacement: Hard Choices in Land Governance," Land, MDPI, vol. 8(6), pages 1-13, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:8:y:2019:i:6:p:88-:d:236441
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Paul Collier & V. L. Elliott & Håvard Hegre & Anke Hoeffler & Marta Reynal-Querol & Nicholas Sambanis, 2003. "Breaking the Conflict Trap : Civil War and Development Policy," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 13938, December.
    2. Peters, Pauline E., 2009. "Challenges in Land Tenure and Land Reform in Africa: Anthropological Contributions," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 37(8), pages 1317-1325, August.
    3. Klaus Deininger, 2003. "Land Policies for Growth and Poverty Reduction," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 15125, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Christine Richter & Marthe Derkzen & Annelies Zoomers, 2020. "Land Governance from a Mobilities Perspective," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(2), pages 1-9, January.
    2. Clarissa Augustinus & Ombretta Tempra, 2021. "Fit-for-Purpose Land Administration in Violent Conflict Settings," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-18, February.

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