CROSS-BORDER INTEGRATED PROGRAMME FOR SUSTAINABLE PEACE AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION:

Transcription

1 FEDERAL DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA CROSS-BORDER INTEGRATED PROGRAMME FOR SUSTAINABLE PEACE AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION: MARSABIT COUNTY, KENYA AND SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA (BORANA AND DAWA ZONES)

2 KENYA - MARSABIT COUNTY ETHIOPIA - BORANA AND DAWA ZONES, 1 1 Background The national boundaries of most African countries were artificially carved out during the colonial era without due consideration of the socio-economic and cultural links of communities who live in the region thus separating the same ethnic groups between different states. Some examples of divided communities in East Africa include, but are not limited to, the Somalis who live in Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya and Somalia; and the Borana and Gabra as well as other communities who live in Ethiopia and Kenya; and the Masai in Kenya and Tanzania. This demarcation informed by the misunderstanding of the complex inter-ethnic relationships in the region has oftentimes led to conflicts, encouraging secessionist demands as witnessed in North Eastern Kenya or Ogaden in Ethiopia when the Somali ethnic groups demanded for independence or unification with Somalia. Despite these artificial separations, the relations and links between communities from the same ethnic group, but separated by international boundaries, have continued to flourish through trade, sharing of natural resources and participation in social and cultural activities. Communities in border regions are, oftentimes, spatially and hierarchically far from the decision-making centres and the capital cities, whose decisions have minimal bearing on the specific problems and potentials of these regions. After many years of marginalization, by the central governments of many African countries, Ethiopia and Kenya included, embarked on decentralization and devolved system of governance in a bid to empower local communities and promote development at the community level. For instance, Ethiopia has since 1991 introduced a system of nine ethnically-based regions and two administrative regions under the Regionalization Framework while Kenya devolved political power and financial resources to 47 County Governments following the promulgation of the New Constitution of With decentralization policies in place, the need for cooperation between economically and culturally linked border regions has emerged as one of the most important area-based development strategies for strengthening regional cooperation that promotes peace and sustainable development. Support for cross-border cooperation in the Horn of Africa gained momentum in late 2014 with a joint pledge of political and financial support from the UN Secretary-General, World Bank Group President, President of the Islamic Development Bank Group and the African Union Commission, the European Union, the African Development Bank, and Intergovernmental Agency for Development (IGAD). 1 We acknowledge the generous financial support of the Governments of Sweden, Canada and Norway.

3 2 CROSS-BORDER INTEGRATED PROGRAMME FOR SUSTAINABLE PEACE AND SOCIOECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION There is a growing recognition of the need to transform the border regions from being barriers to a bridge. This will give communities on both sides of the border opportunities for: (a) better cooperation in breaking their isolation; (b) improve their livelihood and socio-economic conditions; (c) effectively manage and conserve their resources; and (d) strengthen their cultural understanding and trust to bring about sustainable resources and development. On the other hand, if not planned for and managed properly, cross-border relations could result in an increase in conflicts, proliferation of small arms, human and drug trafficking and general instability that leads to loss of lives and property, all amounting to a humanitarian crisis. Challenges and Opportunities of the Region The region faces a number of challenges, including: Challenges of Pastoralist Mode of Production: The populations are largely pastoralists and their movement transcends national and international boundaries. These interregional and cross-border movements oftentimes lead to conflicts over water and pasture. Consequently, in these pastoralists region, a large number of households have been displaced from their original settlements due to conflicts arising from cattle rustling; inter clan disputes and violent conflicts over pasture and water. The pastoralists also lack a ready market for their livestock. Watering Camels

4 KENYA - MARSABIT COUNTY ETHIOPIA - BORANA AND DAWA ZONES, 3 Violent Conflict: The current conflict pattern of this region is quite complex involving several actors from within and across the border. Border porosity and ethnic fluidity also make conflicts easily spillover from one country to another within the region. A complex conflict pattern makes it difficult to design the right socio-economic intervention strategies or monitor and evaluate the impact of such strategies. Violent conflicts also force civil servants, teachers, medical officers, development partners and NGOs to leave the region for better and conflict free areas. A school destroyed by conflict in Moyale Town Cross-border Migration: Migration through the Marsabit-Ethiopian border is a problem that takes irregular forms such as human trafficking or people smuggling, or entry into Kenya without proper authorization or documentation. Although many migrants travel using legal means, irregular migration has become a worrying phenomenon and is contributing to regional insecurity. Lack of Potable Water: A recent needs assessment done in the region indicates that water is the major problem in the region, followed by absence of peace and security, lack of a livestock market and electricity. Women fetching water from a borehole

5 4 CROSS-BORDER INTEGRATED PROGRAMME FOR SUSTAINABLE PEACE AND SOCIOECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION High Poverty Levels: The region has high levels of poverty, food insecurity, low levels of education, high levels of civil insecurity and low levels of gender development. Despite women bearing the heaviest burden of poverty and the problem of inaccessibility to infrastructural services, public participation of women in decision-making is significantly low in the region. This is due to cultural, societal and community perceptions of the role of women in society. Women continue to be denied access to planning and decision-making forums that make crucial decisions on development issues in their communities. Youth Unemployment and Marginalization: The area is one of the most underdeveloped regions and suffers from high levels of human insecurity and low levels of human development. This is a situation that is partly a result of a long history of economic marginalization and social exclusion. The unemployment level in this region is one of the highest in the Horn of Africa. This makes the youth vulnerable to radicalization and recruitment by terrorist groups hence regional insecurity. Climate Change: Climate-induced crises and consequent droughts and flash-floods exacerbate vulnerability and poverty in pastoralist communities and adversely affect and worsen the livelihood of the pastoralists and their livestock. Poor Infrastructure Facilities: There is lack of proper infrastructure facilities, including roads, education and health facilities, communication and electricity in these regions. Despite these challenges, the region has great potential and opportunities, which include the following: Livestock: The region has a large number of livestock which can be harnessed for meat and dairy products. Borana bulls

6 KENYA - MARSABIT COUNTY ETHIOPIA - BORANA AND DAWA ZONES, 5 Trade and Economic Potential: Informal cross-border trade between the border communities generates tremendous revenue for both areas. If this cross-border trade is formalized and institutionalized, it could generate even more revenue for both regions. The growing urban population, the rising disposable incomes in Ethiopia and the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor will see the region s economic potential grow even faster. With the completion of the Isiolo-Moyale highway, there will be immense opportunities for enhanced trade, connectivity; and efficient movement of goods and people. The newly constructed Isiolo-Moyale highway Potential for Tourism: The region s diverse and rich culture and heritage, historical and geographical sites present a huge tourism potential. With proper planning and investment, the region can benefit from tourism, especially if the two cross-border regions come up with a coordinated tourism policy that builds on the two regions comparative advantage and complementarities and establish a common agreement i.e. Northern Corridor Tourism Circuit and linking it with Vision 2030 and other longterm development plans of both countries. Lake Paradise in Marsabit County, Kenya

7 6 CROSS-BORDER INTEGRATED PROGRAMME FOR SUSTAINABLE PEACE AND SOCIOECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION Clean Energy: The County Government of Marsabit recently invested in Lake Turkana Wind Power Project. Biogas and solar energy also offer great potential. Investing in clean and renewable energy will have a positive impact on the environment, health and the biodiversity of the region while meeting the energy needs of the communities on both regions. Local Capacities: The local communities have shown that they have the knowledge, skills and and talent that can be useful in the roadmap to peace and development. With further training and proper facilitation, the peace commitees can be even more effective instruments of peace building and social cohesion. There are peace committee memebers and also 35 community elders comprising from difference ethnic communities who could be instrumental in brininging sustainable peace if they are supported and their institutional capacity is strengthened. Inter-ethnic community elders showing solidarity for peace and unity Objective of the Cross-Border and Integrated Programme The main objective of this cross-border and area-based programme is, in the shortrun, to reduce vulnerability and increase resilience of communities affected by conflict in the border region through identification and promotion of sustainable livelihood projects and conflict management strategies. In the long-run, the programme aims to economically empower the communities through a judicious mix of socio-economic transformative programmes that include infrastructure development, industrial and agricultural development projects, and the development of health and educational facilities. The purpose of this programme is to set out the interventions required to bring the area to the same threshold as the rest of their respective countries. The objective of this project is in line with the Government of Kenya s policy as stipulated in MTP 2 to establish effective peace and conflict structures throughout the country; re-engineering

8 KENYA - MARSABIT COUNTY ETHIOPIA - BORANA AND DAWA ZONES, 7 the national government coordination mechanism to prevent, manage and resolve conflicts efficiently and effectively; and enhancing the capacity of international cross border conflict management 2. This programme is also in line with the Ethiopian Government s policy whose objective is to combat the scourge of recurring drought, harness economic potential and spur long-term investments. The anticipated result should be a successful economic transformation of the arid and semi-arid lands in Ethiopia. 3 Methodology The programme will use Participatory Action Research to understand the dynamics and drivers of conflict in the cross-border area and to identify the root causes/impacts of conflict. The Research will also properly diagnose and identify the factors or stakeholders that could contribute to sustainable peace in the region. In this regard, research will be conducted with a problem and policy goal in mind to provide a scientific explanation to the dynamics of conflict, its context and possible intervention areas in order to avoid negative impacts and maximize on benefits. The project will use both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies to address the specific objectives of the study. This will be done through focus group discussion; questionnaires, face-to-face interviews; key informant interviews, etc. Geographic Information System (GIS) technology will also be used to collect and map the spatial data on both sides of the area to enable the stakeholders to understand the spatial distribution of resources as well as available infrastructural facilities. Similarly, tailor-made capacity building programmes on conflict management and peace-building, as well as alternative livelihood projects, will be designed and implemented to improve the skills and knowledge of the local communities in preventing conflict and bringing about sustainable peace and development. Emergency and long-term development projects will be designed and implemented to address the immediate humanitarian concerns and long-term development objectives of the programme with the sole objective of bringing about lasting peace and sustainable development in the region. Achievements of the Programme The programme was launched by H.E. President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya and H.E. The Ethiopian Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn, who formalized the initiative through a joint Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), signed on 7th 2 Government of Kenya (2013). Second Medium Term Plan ( ): Transforming Kenya: Pathway to devolution, socio-economic development, equity and national unity. Nairobi: Author. 3 Ministry of Agriculture (2012). Ethiopia Country Programme Paper to end Drought Emergencies in the Horn of Africa. Addis Ababa. Author.

9 8 CROSS-BORDER INTEGRATED PROGRAMME FOR SUSTAINABLE PEACE AND SOCIOECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION December 2015 at the border town of Moyale together with IGAD Executive Secretary, Ambassador Mahboub Maalim, the Governor of Marsabit County (Kenya) and the President of Oromia Regional Government (Ethiopia). Signing ceremony of the MOU There were several activities that preceded the launch of the programme: Ø 3rd 8th November 2014: Representatives from nine UN and other development agencies met with the Governor of Marsabit, County Government representatives, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) among others, and discussed challenges and opportunities in the County. They explored areas of possible collaboration and partnership to promote sustainable peace and development in the target regions. Staff of the various UN and other agencies with H.E. the Governor of Marsabit infront of his Office Ø 23rd - 24th March 2015: Representatives of the National Government, United Nations County Team (UNCT), donor partners and national organizations, under the auspices of the Marsabit County Government, met with representatives of local communities, peace committee members and the county government, and discussed how to maintain peace, resolve conflicts, build resilience and promote longer term development

10 KENYA - MARSABIT COUNTY ETHIOPIA - BORANA AND DAWA ZONES, 9 The Chairman of the Peace Committee (left) with representatives of the Marsabit County Government, Development Partners and UN agencies Ø 2nd 5th March 2015: Representatives of the UN Resident Coordinator s Office of Kenya visited Addis Ababa and discussed the modalities of collaboration as well as the contours of partnership with relevant government institutions and UN agencies in Ethiopia. Ø 16th June 2015: Kenya and Ethiopia UN Country teams and other stakeholders met in Nairobi and discussed the implementation and launch of the programme. H.E. the Governor of Marsabit County, Ambassador Ukur Yattani, Former UN Resident Coordinator, Ms. Nardos Bekele- Thomas and Minster Getachew Redda from Ethiopia during the Consultative Workshop Ø 14th 15th October 2015: Twenty experts from both the Marsabit County and Borana Zone met in Moyale Town (Ethiopian side) and reviewed the draft project document of the programme. The Ethiopian and Kenyan planners and experts also gave their feedback and comments on the overall structure of the project document and activities included in the document. Ø 2nd 9th August and 25nd 26th November 2015: The UN provided technical support to Marsabit County to undertake a mid-term review of its County Integrated Development Plan and mainstream the Sustainable Development Goals into the Plan.

11 10 CROSS-BORDER INTEGRATED PROGRAMME FOR SUSTAINABLE PEACE AND SOCIOECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION The technical group who worked on reviewing the CIDP of Marsabit County Ø February April 2016: A GIS consultant was brought on board to collect and map the spatial data on both sides of the border to enable stakeholders to understand the spatial distribution of resources, and available infrastructural facilities, migratory routes of the pastoralists, etc. Ø April May 2016: A Participatory Action Research on causes of conflict and remedies was completed for Marsabit County and was underway on the Ethiopian side. Ø May 2016: Established a Biashara Centre (a business incubator centre) in Marsabit town to empower the youth and address the problem of youth radicalization through engaging them in productive activities. Following the historic launch of the Cross Border Programme on 7 December 2015 in the border town of Moyale, stakeholders on both sides of the border have been in constant consultation and collaboration. Consequently, a consultative workshop was held on April 2016 in Moyale town between the Government of Ethiopia, represented by five State Ministers, representatives of Borana and Dawa Zones, IGAD, UNCT Ethiopia and representatives of the UN Resident Coordinator s office in Ethiopia and Kenya.

12 KENYA - MARSABIT COUNTY ETHIOPIA - BORANA AND DAWA ZONES, 11 State Minister of Federal and Pastoralist Development Affairs, H.E. Kaydaki Gezahegn of Ethiopia making a point during a field trip on the Ethiopian side Consultation with the local community on the Ethiopian side Plenary Session during a consultative workshop in Moyale Ethiopia on April 2016

13 12 CROSS-BORDER INTEGRATED PROGRAMME FOR SUSTAINABLE PEACE AND SOCIOECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION The Way Forward and Planned Activities Consolidate the input of technical experts from line ministries, IGAD and UN into a comprehensive project document. Organize a consultative workshop between the representatives of the Ethiopian and Kenyan Governments to review, endorse and sign the project document. In collaboration with UN Women, launch a HeforShe initiative to empower women, address the problem of gender inequality and enhance women s participation in the development process in the target region. Finalize the terms of reference for Multi-Partner Trust Fund and work on resource mobilization programmes in both Ethiopia and Kenya. Start implementing the projects/activities indentified in the project document as priority areas.

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