Social differentiation of risk

A snapshot of two Tuareg-dominated communes rurales in the pastoral – agricultural transition zones of Maradi and Tahoua regions shows that, despite the openly shared “inevitable natural hazard” drought discourse, risk-taking action in response to drought-related dangers is sharply polarised according to social position. On the one hand the dominant Tuareg minority perceive drought not only as danger for their herds but also as opportunity to increase their political following through the channelling of drought relief benefits to their supporters. On the other hand the majority of commune households, living on the brink of economic viability, cultivate social links with the dominant families in order to secure access to water, land and humanitarian aid; and household members are forced into more and more frequent and distant out-migration. Certain leaders, well-informed about national land policy and practice, focus their efforts for a better future on the consolidation of community land rights through the promotion of certain sedentarisation and land privatisation initiatives; however the resulting increased land pressure in key locations may unwittingly expose inhabitants to even worse drought-linked crises in the future.