Kenya and Uganda decide to harmonize cross-border management

Beatrice Askul, Cabinet Secretary for the East African Community, ASALs and Regional Development.

There is a need for proper coordination of cross-border movement for pastoral communities living along the shared border of Kenya and Uganda to avoid frequent conflicts, said Beatrice Askul, Cabinet Secretary for the East African Community, ASALs and Regional Development.

The CS noted that Turkana, Pokot, Sebei and Karamoja communities living along the Kenya-Uganda border often fight over resources. Consequently, it is necessary to harmonize cross-border traffic and develop a joint program for sustainable peace and development.

Askul made these comments at the end of a three-day consultative meeting with a high-level delegation from Kenya and Uganda, which discussed issues affecting pastoral communities along the shared border.

These discussions are a continuation of consultations that began in 2019 between the two nations on peace, security and development and finding solutions to conflicts between border communities over scarce resources.

“The talks involve a high-level delegation from Kenya and Uganda, which is focused on a Memorandum of Understanding, which is effectively a continuation of the MoU initiated in 2019. The agreement aims to support livestock farmers in the border areas (Kenya) of Turkana, Pokot. , and (Uganda) Sebei and Karamoja,” CS Moe said.

The CS emphasized the need for a well-coordinated mechanism to ensure that communities can share common resources without conflict or escalation into large-scale feuds.

“Pastoralists along our shared border often clash over limited sources of water and pasture. We need a harmonized mechanism to enable these people to share scarce resources and coexist peacefully,” CS emphasized.

Askul also stressed the importance of establishing adequate infrastructure, including schools, health facilities and security surveillance along migration routes, to support pastoralists during their seasonal movements.

Uganda’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of East African Community Affairs, Rebecca Kadaga, underlined that security measures in Uganda will prioritize the protection of livestock farmers during their stay. She stressed the need for effective strategies to protect both lives and livestock in the border region through a structured and identifiable approach.

She added that the initiative aims to promote cooperation between the two states, ensure that the movement of pastoralists is safe and orderly and ultimately support both communities in achieving their shared development goals.

In an important step towards enhancing peace and security, the contracting parties have reached a crucial agreement aimed at controlling the illicit proliferation of small arms and light weapons. The agreement outlines comprehensive measures to eradicate illegal firearms in both countries and ensure the safety of communities along the borders.

Key provisions of the agreement include strict firearms control, cross-border security coordination, the fight against transnational organized crime, safe movement of people and livestock, conflict management mechanisms, capacity building and training, social services and education, infrastructural development, environmental sustainability, and engagement of the community.

By KBC