Agricultural land use change and its drivers in the Sudanese Ethiopian borderland: the case of Al-Fashaga region

The Al-Fashaga region, situated along the Sudanese-Ethiopian border, has experienced significant land use and land cover (LULC) changes over the past three decades due to large-scale mechanized agriculture and conflict-related dynamics. This study examines LULC transitions from 1990 to 2020 using multi-temporal Landsat data, Google Earth imagery, field surveys, and key informant interviews. Findings reveal a substantial increase in agricultural land, now covering over 75% of the region, predominantly at the expense of natural vegetation, which has declined to 13.7%. The 2020 Tigray conflict in Ethiopia triggered shifts in land control, enabling Sudanese farmers to reclaim abandoned lands, and illustrating the complex interrelations between conflict, land tenure, and resource use. This dynamic has exacerbated environmental degradation and heightened socio-political tensions over fertile borderlands. The study emphasizes the urgency of conflict-sensitive land management strategies to balance agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability. Recommendations include strengthening land tenure security, adopting sustainable farming practices, and fostering cross-border collaboration to address resource-based conflicts. These findings offer critical insights into how geopolitical tensions influence land use in border regions, contributing to policies aimed at sustainable land management, conflict resolution, and peacebuilding in similarly affected areas.