Forced migration, land-use change and political economy in the forest region of Guinea

This paper examines the impact of forced migration on land use change in Yomou prefecture in the forest region of Guinea from a broadly 'political economy' perspective. Focusing on the period since 1989, when over 500,000 refugees from Liberia and Sierra Leone have been present in the region, it considers the extent and mechanisms through which refugees have gained access to land in three study villages, and seeks explanations for the pattern of land use change that has occurred. This is seen as reflecting both the evolution of the agricultural economy of the region, and socio-political change in local communities. Implications for both environmental change, and the livelihoods of refugees and local communities are considered.