Border communities resolve to foster peaceful co-existence

Kenyan, South Sudanese, and Ethiopian border communities have resolved to foster peaceful co-existence amongst themselves by addressing perennial cross border conflicts between the Turkana of Kenya, the Toposa of South Sudan, and the Nyang'atom of Ethiopia.During a cross-border intergovernmental meeting held at Natapar, Kibish Sub-county in Kenya, the leaders agreed to use local mechanisms to address emerging conflicts instead of letting the communities resort to war and abductions.The dialogue was designed to develop solutions for the building and eventual adoption of peaceful approaches to conflict resolution moving forward.Head of the Ethiopian delegation at the meeting, Ayele Lere, said that the bulk of the conflicts in the area could be attributed to a scramble for pasture resources and lauded the elders for crafting a working resource-sharing formula as a homegrown model to settle conflicts.According to Ayele Lere, the elders' initiative was not only encouraging but also promising, as it covere d all aspects of pasture resources and included the concerns of farmers in the area.The Head of South Sudan delegation, Commissioner Abdallah Lokeno, acknowledged that joint efforts by the Turkana County and South Sudan authorities had significantly reduced conflicts between the Turkana and Toposa residing along the common border.'Peace is not only important for the sake of it; it is a necessary condition for the promotion of trade, culture, tourism, and other beneficial relations between the Turkana of Kenya, Toposa, and Nyangatom of Ethiopia, who also share cultural ties,' Director Lokorikeju explained.They also resolved to directly engage government officers and peace actors in cross-border peace initiatives to harness peace activities on the common borders.Leaders also agreed to sensitise the border communities on the benefits of promoting cross-border trade through intergovernmental engagement.A logistical partnership in support of the Turkana, Toposa, and Nyangatom cross-border peace initiativ es was provided by Safer World, Kenya- Red-Cross Society Turkana, and Agency's for Cross -border Pastoralist development and the Integrated Community Peace Development Organisation (ICPDO).National Government representative of the National Steering Committee on Peacebuilding (NSC), Kaleng Nakalale, also attended.Source : Kenya News Agency