March 14, 2025 (MOROTO, Uganda) In collaboration with FAO, and with funding from EU under the Pastoralism & Livestock Adaptation to Climate Change in Eastern Africa Programme (PLACE), ICPALD engaged communities and leaders from Turkana, West Pokot and Karamoja in a three-day cross-border resource sharing dialogue.

The discussions were led by the technical experts from ICPALD and IGAD’s CEWARN in close collaboration with FAO, Ministry of Karamoja Affairs-Uganda, Turkana and West Pokot County Governments of Kenya, Parliamentarians from Karamoja-Uganda and from Turkana and West Pokot-Kenya, the local authorities and CSOs. Others included, parliamentarians, partners implementing the peace programmes and pastoralist rights groups from various levels at grassroot and national levels of the Karamoja cluster.

On day one, the community dialogue took place in Naput, Moroto-Uganda. The general appeal by the district level leaders was for a more peaceful co-existence in the area so that opportunities for development can be maximized as resources such as watering points and grazing land are shared.

On day two, Parliamentarians, Local Leaders, CSOs and IGAD were updated on the roadmap, and progress of the Transhumance Protocol. In her opening remarks on behalf of Dr. Workneh, Head of Mission Jocelyne Birigwa said, “The Protocol on transhumance comes in to complement and support the realization of resource sharing agreements. The Protocol is broader, and it covers all the IGAD Member Countries. It is a regional policy framework that will be implemented by all Member States beyond the existing resource sharing agreements.”

On day three of the cross-border resource sharing dialogue session held in Lokapel-Nabilatuk, discussions centered on community-led solutions for cross-border resource sharing, and peaceful co-existence between Communities (West Pokot-Kenya, the Pokot of Uganda, the Pian of Nakapiripirit).

These engagements paved way for establishment of cross-border committees to serve as platforms for coordination of transboundary livestock mobility; existing Rangeland Management Committees (RMCs) were assigned this coordination function.

Currently, RMCs manage rangelands & specifically ensure there is no bush burning; determine the rangelands that can be grazed during dry season and wet season; and oversee utilization of watering points.

###

Background

ICPALD is a partner in implementation of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the European Union (EU) programme designed to strengthen the resilience of pastoralists in Eastern Africa. The Initiative, named “Pastoralism and Livestock Adaptation to Climate Change in Eastern Africa Programme (PLACE),” was designed to address the challenges in developing sustainable, climate-resilient pastoral systems across the environmental, economic and social dimensions of pastoralism in the face of a rapidly changing climate to be implemented in four cross-border cluster areas; Bahr el-Arab, Karamoja (Moroto and Nabilatuk/ Nakapiripirit), Mandera and Mara-Serengeti Clusters, covering six IGAD countries namely; Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda and from the EAC the United Republic of Tanzania.

The community-led discussions were aimed at fostering peace and security between the cross borders contributing further to the smooth implementation of the IGAD Protocol on Transhumance as well as the MOU on peace and development that was signed on September 12, 2019 by the Heads of State and Government of Kenya and Uganda in Moroto, Uganda.

The IGAD Protocol on Transhumance is a policy that guides grazing and movement of livestock along international borders to achieve long-term peace among the pastoralists in the IGAD Member States.

• Pastoralism is a socio-economic way of life that is based on herding and raising livestock in free range. The practice has been passed down through generations in various parts of the world. It is a common livelihood practice adopted by several communities across the globe.
• The IGAD region is characterized by arid and semiarid landscapes and environments particularly in the border areas. The region hosts the largest population of pastoralists in Africa, which are transhumant in nature as they move seasonally from one area to another in search of pasture, water and land resources. The border communities in the region have evolved livelihood systems such as pastoralism and agro pastoralism that are suited to the ASAL conditions. Pastoralism is also the most economically viable and environmentally sound livelihood system in the region.
• Pastoralism livelihood is, however, increasingly coming under threat even though seasonal mobility (transhumance) in search of pastures and water is central to their adaptation to the environment. The challenges faced by the pastoralist communities living in arid areas have become more dynamic due to the increased drought frequency and its effect on pastoral mobility (transhumance) and ethnic conflicts.
• The border area between Kenya and Uganda (in particular between Turkana and Karamojong communities) has experienced lethal conflicts in recent times. Uncontrolled and uncoordinated cross-border transhumance has been associated with conflicts, uncontrolled illegal trade, poor health conditions and inadequate services for the communities. Interactions between the two communities often occur when sharing natural resources for livestock production, engaging in informal trade, and socio-cultural relations. The area is often characterized by tensions leading to ongoing armed conflicts associated mainly with livestock thefts and raids across their border areas. Widespread availability of arms and ammunition in the area has made conflict lethal in this cross-border ecosystem. Turkana herders survive mainly by grazing their livestock in Karamoja grassland areas in Uganda.