PROGRESS REPORT CEWARN-RPLRP

Transcription

1 PROGRESS REPORT CEWARN-RPLRP Cross Border Conflict Atlas Mapping December Introduction Under the broader objective of Expanding /Widening Conflict Monitoring, Analysis & Reporting, CEWARN is developing a conflict atlas that will catalogue and map major cross border conflicts along the cattle rustling belt of Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda and South Sudan in the IGAD region-with the support of the World Bank through RPLRP. The atlas will illustrate the locations of the conflicts thematically in a layered manner that will reveal existing asymmetries in the conflicts for analytical purposes. Some of the additional layers will include relevant conflict secondary and structured data like population densities, availability of social services and infrastructure. Electronic copies of the atlas will be distributed on CDs and will also be available online once the ArcGIS online platform has been developed. The atlas will be dynamic in way that it will be regularly updated in versions to reveal the conflict dynamics, which includes illustrating the changes in terms of intensity, extent and development of new conflicts. This progress report outlines the key findings of the first phase of the field assessment of cluster 3 conflict zone on the Kenya and Ethiopia. Cluster 3 conflict zone is one of the 3 clusters that are part of the cattle rustling and proliferation of SALW conflict zone of the HOA region. The assessment for clusters 1 and 2 of the region will be carried out in the 2 nd phase. 2. Objectives The overall objective of the exercise is to collect, package and disseminate information related to conflicts along the cross border areas of cluster 2 with the aim of sharing it with the relevant conflict and peace actors for response and prevention purposes, and to generate baseline information that will be regularly updated for situational analysis and early warning purposes. Specifically the exercise will in consultation with the communities and local leaders through focus group discussions; Identify and delineate the different conflict types along the cross border areas in turn, mapping the actual geographic extents of the conflicts. Locate and map the parties/communities that are affected or are involved in the conflict 1

2 Locate and map out areas that are affected differently in terms of intensity of the conflicts-mapping hot spots. Collect other relevant information that will be used for analysis of the conflicts such as; seasonality, cause-effect, settlement distribution, population demographics, etc. 3. Methodology Data collection involved focus group discussions and consultations with local leaders and members of the Peace Committees of cluster 3 from both Ethiopia and Kenya. The questions mainly focused on the outlined objectives of the assessment. The information will later be summarized and captured thematically on maps that will constitute conflict atlas. A section of participants of a FGD 2

3 A participant of the FGD stressing a point 3

4 Facilitators conducting a FGD on the Ethiopia side of the assessment. 4. Key Findings Description of Cluster 3 Cluster 3 consists of what was originally known as the Somali cluster bordering Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia. It is an arid area with pastoralism as the main source of livelihood. On the Ethiopian side, it covers parts of the Oromia (Moyale) and Somali (Liben) regions. On the Kenyan side it covers the areas of Moyale, Wajir North and Mandera, west, Mandera north Lafey and Madera East constituencies. The region is dogged with conflicts that has left it stagnated of growth and transformation. 4

5 Map1: The general cross border conflict system showing cluster 3 The assessment revealed upto 5 unique conflict subsystems involving the different ethnic groups traversing the cross border system. The main conflict types in the cluster include; 1. Natural Resource Based Conflicts 2. Politically instigated conflicts 3. Ethnically based conflicts 4. Presence of insurgents 5. Weather/Climate related conflicts Generally the conflicts have been reported to intensify during the long rainy season period that starts in the month of April and the short rain periods that start in October. The dry seasons are known to be times when the communities are all at peace with each other so as to have a favorable environment to share the meagre resources. However, prolonged droughts are known to trigger conflicts once the resources get completely depleted and competition gets so intense. The shared resources across the borders have proved to be a major factor in fostering peaceful coexistence reconciliation. The Conflict Subsystems 5. Subsystem 1 Involving the Borana, Gabra, Garri and Burji 5

6 The sub system on the Ethiopian side includes 6 Woredas; 1)Moyale Somali, 2) Moyale Oromia, 3)Dillo, 4)Dire,and 5)Miyo. On the Kenya side it covers 5 Counties; 1) Uran, 2) Sololo 3) Obbu, 4) Butiye, 5)Golbo and 6) Godoma. Map2: The geographic extent of conflict Subsystem 1 6

7 The ethnic composition of sub system 1 Ethiopia 02 Arballe Dambi Argane Mado - (Mixed: Borana, Gabra, (Borana and (Moyale Garri and Burji) Burji) Oromia) Kenya Sessy Sommabe Borr DF (Butiye) Ethiopia Kebele Kebele 03 Halgan Galgalao (Beede) (Naanawa Daqkisu Moyale 02 (Garri) (Garri) dimtu Garri ) All gari (Somali) (mixed (Gabra and Garri Garri Garri) and Burji) others Kenya(Golbo, Godoma Burji, Borana Garri and GABRA- others Godoma) Ethiopi a (Miyo) Kenya (Sololo, Uran) Linche (Borana ) Gommoo (Borana/Gerri ) Tessole (Borana ) Meti (Borana ) Dukelle Uran Fololle Anona, sololo,(borana,gebra,bu rji) Gumbissa Grinchoo DF(Mado Adi) Dire Woreda includes Megadoo town. Conflict types: The Major conflict types are 1) ethnic (Within clans) and between 2 or more different ethnic groups, 2) Political competition, 3)Militia insurgents from the OLF and All Alshabaab, and 7

8 4)natural resources competition conflicts especially over grazing land and water. The seasonal movements of pastoralists across the border is a main source of conflicts Parties involved in the conflict Borana vs Garri Borana vs Gabra Borana vs Burjji The Borana who are the major and dominant group often face a conflict of alliance from the smaller minority groups which has often been a major cause of escalation of conflicts. The alliances include; Burji, Gabra and Garre against the Borana. Root causes Natural Resources Competition Ethnic based political alliances causing spillover effect Land ownership/claims /demarcations Indicators of the conflict Rumors no common sources or places Individual fights usually lead to community fights if they are from 2 different communities Disaggregation of the community that has been leaving together moving to where their fellow communities are for protection or in preparation for attack Thefts or raids occur can lead to full scale raids and community conflict After a theft or a raid there will be group spieing which is an indicator for a full scale revenge or conflict involving use of fire arms Frequency The conflicts have significantly decreased within the last 3 years. However personal and individual conflicts do occur regularly at any time with no particular season or frequency. Seasonal conflicts in the rainy season when there is abundancy of resources revenge attacks often occur which usually escalate to community level. This mostly happens in the long rain seasons of April and May and decreases in September but again builds up during the short rains of October. The OLF movement increases in the rainy season because of abundant water and grazing land which allows them to move easily. During the dry season there is a meagre availability of water and grazing land and therefore a need to share the meagre supplies. This calls for the making of peace to ensure smooth coexistence and and sharing of resources. In the event of any incidents usually the affected party will wait for the rainy season to avenge. However extended droughts usually do lead to conflicts once the meagre resource supplies get exhausted. At the dry season the problem is mostly cross border resource sharing. During Kenyan elections that happens after every 5 years. 2 years before the election time the conflict starts because of the campaigns when contestants of political offices start making promises and utterances to empower their own ethnic henchmen. After elections it could continue for a year or more especially where there is contestation of an election outcome. 8

9 Cross Border shared resources There are some cross border shared resources like; hospitals and health centers at Moyale Oromia in Ethiopia while on the Kenya side at Sessy there is a hospital. There are Markets in Ethiopia, Arballe Kebele and in Buledi in region 5(Moyale S) and in Kenya Gurumessa and Sololo there is a shared market. There are Schools in Sessy Township in Kenya as well. In Butiye and Borr there are shared schools. Some communities prefer to have children to acquire their elementary education on the Kenyan side because of the English based curriculum and later transfer the children back to the Ethiopian schools at higher level education. Shared resources Kebele 03 there is a shared cattle market In Halgon there is a 1-8 school used by only the Ethiopians In manyatta there is a shared school In Beshara in Kenya there is a shared school In Gurmesa township there is a shared school There are schools in all the 7 kebeles and used by only the Ethiopians Health sector Between sessay and township there is shared health post At Halgan, Dhuksu, and Bede there is a health post at the Ethiopian side but only by the Ethiopians 6. Sub system 2 Involving Garre and Ajuran Includes 2 Woredas on the Ethiopia side; 1)Moyale Somali, 2) Mubarak. On the kenya side, it includes one county-bute. Types of conflicts: 1) Natural resource conflict between Garre and Ajuran over water and grazing land, 2) personal or individual conflicts that usually escalate into community broader community conflicts 3) rampant thefts that usually escalate into community conflicts, and 4) politically instigated conflicts especially during election time. Seasonality It is a seasonal conflict that usually intensifies during the rainy season. However, if the dry season intensifies and gets prolonged, the conflict will intensify. The Politically instigated politics normally intensify during election times in either Ethiopia or Kenya. Map 3: The geographic extent of conflict Subsystem 2 9

10 Ethnic Composition of Conflict Sub system 2 Ethiopia (Moyale Somali) Garre Kenya all daqugo Bururi Ade Quadadum Bute ( Ajuran) a 7. Sub system 3 The geographic extent of this sub system includes the county of Takaba in Kenya and Mubarak Woreda in Ethiopia. It is a peaceful subsystem mostly because the communities are largely homogeneous consisting only of the Garre ethnic group on either sides of the border. 10

11 Map 4: The geographic extent of conflict Subsystem 3 8. Sub system 4 involving Garre and the Degodiya It includes Mubarak Woreda on the side of Ethiopia and and Sub counties of Wajir, Banisaa, Guba and Mal Kamari in Kenya. It is a conflict subsystem that involves the Garre and the Degodiya. Ethnic composition Ethiopia Andarek (Garre ) Melkameri (Garre ) Hadawa (Garre) Eymole (Garre ) Kenya (Garre& Degodia) (Garre& Degodia) Jara (Garre ) (Garre& Degodia) 11

12 Map 5: The geographic extent of conflict Subsystem 4 Type of conflicts 1) Boundary and land claims between Garre and Degodiya both from region 5-somali region, 2) natural resource conflicts where there is competition over grazing land and watering points, 3) political conflicts that arise during election times. Conflict issues started to escalate during the enactment of the counties system in Kenya. Shared resources There is a shared market at Banisa. Health post at Eymole and Melkamari and both sides of Jara. Ethiopia Andarek Melkameri Hadawa Eymole Jara 12

13 (Schools) (Schools, water (Water point) (Schools, tanks), health Health post) post Kenya Banisa (Schools), market Eymole (Schools) (Schools) Jara Frequency of the conflict Mostly quarterly after every 3 months Conflict occurs mainly in the rain season due to abundance of resources and relative peace is during the dry season due to lack of resources. Indicators Theft/looting Hatred and domestic violence Killings and revenge attacks. Individual conflicts extend to communal conflicts. Mobilizing of arms. Noticeable community movements either in support of an election, avoiding attacks or in support of attacks. 9. Subsystem 5 The conflict subsystem covers Dolo Ado Worreda in Ethiopia and borders Mandera in Kenya. It Involves the Garre, Degodiya and Murule communities. The Degodiya are mostly on the Ethiopian side while the Degodiya, Garre and Murule are found on the Ethiopian side as illustrated in the table below and map. Administrative coverage and ethnic composition of sub system 5 Ethiopia- Dolo Ado (All Degodia in Ethiopia) Kenya (Mandera) Suftu Boryala Fiqhow Paytuli Wadlhui Nimca Dir n ibu ris Mandera (Garre, Degodia, Murule) contreme Nobeye (Degodiya Contreme ) Buriabore (Degodiya ) Dariaka Kalalhoo (Degodiya) (Degodiya, Murule) Rama Darika (Garre) 13

14 Map 6: Extent of the conflict and ethnic composition of sub system 5 Type of conflicts 1) Most of the conflicts in the sub system are natural resources based conflicts (Water and pasture). 14

15 2) Conflicts resulting from gender based violence including forced marriages are common. These, including individual/household or personal conflicts very often escalate into widespread community conflicts. 3) Cultural dances and mockery especially during the rainy season celebrations are also known to escalate into widespread conflicts. 4) Revenge and counter revenge attacks over previous atrocities are common. The seasonal movement of youth/migrations across the borderers due to unemployment is reported to be one of the major conflict causes in the area. Conflicting parties are; 1. Muruley vs Degodia 2. Degodia vs Garre Shared resources There is a shared or common market in Ramo and Mandera in Kenya. Ethiopia Suftu(All Degodia in Ethiopia) Kenya Mandera (Hospital, Market) Nobeye (Health post) Ramo (Health center) Indicators of Conflicts Migration of people. Unusual meetings. Prolonged droughts. Rumors. Kenyan elections. When the dawa river dries-raids start. Economic crises-people have no cash or a noticeable profound lack of spending cash. Seasonalities During elections periodically after 5 years Prolonged dry spells Partial distribution of rain 10. Conclusion and way forward The conflict atlas is intended to be dynamic in construction and development. The contents of the report are therefore due for presentation to the local leaders and peace committee members for further interrogation and update. This will then constitute the exercise that will regularly provide updated and verified content of the atlas. END. 15