There is need for proper coordination of cross-border movement of pastoral communities living along the common border of Kenya and Uganda to evade frequent conflicts, Cabinet Secretary (CS), East African Community, ASALs, and Regional Development, Beatrice Askul, has said.
The CS noted that Turkana, Pokot, Sebei, and Karamoja living along the Kenya-Uganda border recurrently fight for resources, hence the need to harmonise cross-border movement and come up with a cross-border programme for sustainable peace and development.
Askul made the remarks during a close of a three-day consultative talk by a high-level delegation from Kenya and Uganda on issues affecting pastoral communities living along the common border.
The talk is a continuation of a consultations initiated back in 2019 between the two sister States on peace, security, and development and the way forward in handling conflicts amongst the border communities over scarce resources.
‘The talks involve a high-level delegation from Kenya and Uganda f
ocusing on a Memorandum of Understanding, which is actually a continuation of the MoU initiated back in 2019. The agreement aims to support the pastoralists in the border regions (Kenya) Turkana, Pokot, and (Uganda) Sebei and Karamoja,’ said CS Moe.
CS said that there is need for a well-coordinated mechanism to ensure that the communities share common resources without clashing or resorting into a full-scale feuds.
‘Pastoralists along our common border frequently clash over the limited sources of water and pasture; we need to have a harmonised mechanism to enable these people to share the scarce resources and coexist peacefully,’ CS stressed.
Askul observed that there is need to put-up adequate infrastructure, including schools, health facilities and security surveillance along migratory routes, to serve the pastoralists during their seasonal movements.
Uganda’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community Affairs, Rebecca Kadaga, emphasized that security measures in Uganda will pri
oritise the protection of pastoralists during their stay in her country, highlighting the need for effective modalities to safeguard both lives and livestock in the border region, through a structured and identifiable approach.
She added that the initiative is designed to foster cooperation between the two states, ensuring that the movement of pastoralists is safe and orderly, ultimately supporting both communities in their shared development resource goals.
In a significant step towards enhancing peace and security, the State Parties reached a pivotal agreement focusing on the control of illicit proliferation of small arms and light weapons. The agreement outlines comprehensive measures to eradicate illegal firearms within both nations and to ensure the safety of communities living along their borders.
Key provisions of the agreement, include: strict firearm control, cross-border security coordination, combating transnational organised crime, safe movement of persons and livestock, conflict management mec
hanisms, capacity building and training, social services and education, infrastructural development, environmental sustainability, and community involvement.
In brief, the bilateral talks were in agreement that the possession of firearms and ammunition is prohibited, with coordinated disarmament operations to be carried out in compliance with national, regional, and international laws.
The Parties will establish joint security teams, conduct coordinated patrols, and share intelligence to bolster security along transhumance routes. This includes the operationalisation of a Joint Defence Committee and the creation of a Joint Inter-State Fusion Unit composed of security agencies.
The Parties are committed to preventing and curtailing transnational organised crimes, enhancing joint verification and investigation efforts to track and prosecute criminals.
The agreement ensures the safe and orderly movement of individuals and livestock across borders, with designated routes and identification requirements.
Loca
l communities will play a vital role in conflict resolution, with established working committees to enforce communal norms and ensure accountability for violations.
Joint training exercises for law enforcement personnel will improve communication and tactics, enhancing cross-border coordination.
The Parties will prioritise access to education and health services, ensuring that communities receive essential support.
Investments in infrastructure will facilitate safe livestock movement and enhance market access for traders.
The agreement emphasises sustainable resource management, particularly in the context of climate change impacts on pastoral migration.
Border communities will actively participate in implementing the agreement, promoting sustainable practices, and conflict resolution.
Source: Kenya News Agency