The Togolese government announced in a statement that close to 4,000 Mobas from Burkina Faso have fled to Togo since last Tuesday in Togo, as a result of a clash between Yangas and Mobas in the village of Kabou in the Koulpélogo province, Burkina Faso, reports Togo Top Infos.

According to the statement, the conflict between the two communities is land-related. For now, most of the refugees were temporarily sheltered in schools in the savanna region.

"These displaced people, most of them women and children, have no effect in our country in search of relief and are in a precarious situation. Children are already at risk of anemia and cases of diarrhea are reported. The Togolese state, for its part, reassures the urgent measures taken to help the displaced. He asked the local population of the host villages, a great solidarity with the displaced", the note reads.

The current situation, which is one of many recorded across the continent, in regards to both rural and urban land management, is proof that Africa needs pragmatic and inclusive land policies. In this framework, Togo has recently organized a national forum on the issue.

Souha Touré