December 7, 2023 (MOROTO, Uganda) The IGAD Centre for Pastoral Areas and Livestock Development, with financial support of the German Government under SCIDA III project, held a two-day dialogue session on transhumance, peace and security between Turkana (Kenya) and Karamoja (Uganda).
In attendance were: The State Minister for Mineral Development /MP for Chekwii East Constituency, Nakapiripirit District, Members of Parliament for Kenya and Uganda from Turkana and West Pokot Counties of Kenya and Karamoja region of Uganda, Karamoja Division Commander, Government security teams from Karamoja region and Turkana County – led by Turkana County Commissioner’s Office and Moroto Resident District Commissioner, Military Liaison Officers from both sides, District & County Officials, Community Leaders & Elders, Pastoralist Parliamentary Group (PPG) Secretariat, GIZ and Karamoja Development Forum.
Opening on behalf of the ICPALD Director Dr. Wakjira, Mr. Japheth Kasimbu the Transhumance Expert expressed the need to follow up the resolutions made during the Lodwar meeting in August 2023, to foster cross border peace and harmony. The IGAD region, he said “hosts the largest group of pastoralists in Africa and the largest population of livestock in Africa standing at more than 520 million”.
Dr. Ute Schneiderat of GIZ Moroto Office highlighted their work with pastoralists and agro-pastoralist namely hay production, rearing gala goats, grass seeds, livestock markets, honey value chain amongst others. This work is being done with technical support from ICPALD and ICPAC in terms of mapping, data collection and convening meetings. She called for the peaceful sharing of natural resources like grazing land and water.
Speaking on behalf of the Turkana County Commissioner Mr. Jacob Ouma, Mr. Mwachaunga Chaunga of Turkana West stated that the county government and national government of Kenya appreciate the peace building exercise, adding that between August and the time of this meeting the cases of conflict had reduced significantly.
Hon. Daniel Nanok, the Vice Chair of Kenya’s Pastoralists Parliamentary Group and MP Turkana South reported that he had requested his H.E President William Ruto to engage his counterpart H.E. President Yoweri Museveni, regarding security challenges facing the two cross-border communities. Thereafter, Hon. Lokii Abraham, MP – Vice chair of Uganda Pastoralists Parliamentary Forum and Member of Parliament for Jie County, Kotido District Uganda on behalf of Hon. Peter Lokeris, State Minister for Mineral Development/ MP for Chekwii East Constituency, Nakapiripirit District, officially opened the meeting, charging the participants to build community wealth.
The meeting aimed at supporting cross-border transhumance, peace and security between the two communities to exploit their pastoral wealth. Participants discussed the efforts made by both governments following the earlier cross-border dialogue held in Lodwar and deliberated on emerging security issues. Perspectives of the IGAD Transhumance Protocol in solving some emerging cross-border mobility security issues were highlighted. At the close, action points, timelines and responsible lead actors in implementing the way forward were listed.
Background
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. IGAD cluster 1 comprises the border areas of Karamoja in Uganda, Turkana and West Pokot in Kenya, South Kapoeta in South Sudan and the SNNPR1 in Ethiopia. The border area between Kenya and Uganda (in particular between Turkana and Karamojong communities) has experienced lethal conflicts in the past. 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 manifest in sharing of natural resources for livestock production, 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. Weak presence of government security and 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 of Uganda.
The IGAD transhumance protocol is a policy that will guide grazing and movement of livestock along international borders to achieve long-term peace among the pastoralists in the IGAD Member States. This policy is envisaged to lead to the signing of the treaty that will help the pastoralists to understand and appreciate the importance of respecting the existing customary law on boundaries.
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