Land Use and Conflict Resolution in Rural Okavango Delta, Botswana

Land reform in Africa seeks to restore land to communities displaced by colonial expropriation while aligning customary tenure with modern legal frameworks. Despite these efforts, land conflicts persist. Guided by evolutionary land rights and conflict theories, this study examined drivers of land disputes and conflict resolution mechanisms in two rural Okavango Delta communities. A mixed methods approach collected data from 553 respondents through household and key informant interviews. Conflicts arose from unauthorized sales and transfers (32%), self-allocation (27%), unclear boundaries (18%), inheritance disputes (15%), and development-induced relocations (8%). Women and youths were disproportionately affected, highlighting persistent inequalities in land access. Socio-demographic factors were significantly associated with conflict types. Although statutory frameworks exist, customary institutions remain the main dispute resolution mechanism. The study recommends integrating customary and statutory systems, adopting gender-sensitive policies, improving land allocation transparency, strengthening local institutions, and addressing historical injustices to promote equitable and sustainable land governance.