The West African Caravan of the Global Convergence of Land and Water Struggles (CGLTE OA) is traversing Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, and Benin to reach the World Social Forum (FSM) in Cotonou, according to Alter Québec. Spanning from July 19 to August 9, the tenth edition of the Caravane brings together artisans, farmers, and activists aboard nine buses to address corporate land grabs and environmental displacement across the sub-region.
Border Standoff and Arrival in Cotonou
Participants faced an initial setback when authorities turned them away at the Togolese border after arriving in Cotonou, according to Alter Québec member Khady Konaté. Despite the blockade, the caravaners persevered and successfully entered the city on August 6, greeted by festive singing upon their arrival at the University of Abomey-Calavi.
Radiatu, an activist and feminist from Liberia working with the Natural Resource Women Platform, stated that the refusal gave many travelers the painful sensation of being foreigners on their own continent. To counter the blockage, the women published video messages on social networks to advocate for the free movement of people and goods across borders. “For several women, it was the first time they left their community and their country,” Radiatu said, according to the report. “Once arrived in Cotonou, to be told to return to the border, that gave the feeling of being foreigners on their own continent.”
Land Grabbing Threatens Rural Women’s Livelihoods
Participating in the caravan from Lougoualé in Côte d’Ivoire, Radiatu noted that rural women face identical struggles that transcend national borders, specifically pointing to foreign investments prioritizing rubber and palm oil production. According to the activist, foreign land acquisitions strip women of their primary means of subsistence by destroying local ecosystems.
“The forest is their supermarket: that’s where they grow coconut and cassava, where they can gather cooking wood and mushrooms,” Radiatu explained, as reported by Alter Québec. Without access to hospitals, these communities rely entirely on forest plants for medicine and childbirth. While certain West African nations have passed legislation regarding the free, prior, and informed consent of local populations, these laws lack enforcement power and have failed to adequately protect women’s access to land and water.
Did you know? Despite facing systemic land displacement, rural women across West Africa act as vital guardians of sustainable soil management and traditional knowledge, such as using natural leaves for food packaging.
Grassroots Resistance and Future Solidarity
In the face of displacement, women continue to organize by cultivating remaining plots, moving between communities, and sharing resources despite limited financial means. Radiatu emphasized that popular education led by civil society groups remains essential for holding governments accountable and centering women in environmental decision-making.
During moments of uncertainty on the road, travelers maintained morale by singing, dancing, and speaking in each other’s languages. “We were one, it was like being in an Africa without borders,” Radiatu told Alter Québec. “If Africa becomes what we were in the buses, then Africa will be fine.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the West African Caravan of the Global Convergence of Land and Water Struggles?
It is an annual mobilization of farmers, artisans, and activists—with strong representation from women—traveling across West African nations to highlight environmental and land rights issues ahead of the World Social Forum.
What challenges did the 2026 caravan encounter?
Caravan participants were initially turned away at the Togolese border by Beninese authorities before successfully returning to Cotonou on August 6, 2026.
How does land grabbing impact rural women in West Africa?
Foreign investments focused on rubber and palm oil destroy local forests, which serve as essential spaces for food gathering, traditional medicine, and sustainable small-scale agriculture.
Related reading