BY OUR CORRESPONDENT
Thousands gathered in Lokichogio, Kenya, for the EAC High-Level Meeting of Ateker Leaders and Border Communities Sensitization on Peaceful Coexistence, focusing on the collaboration among Kenya’s Turkana, Uganda’s Karamojong, and South Sudan’s Toposa and Didinga.
Cultural songs and dances promoting peace resonated as the Ateker communities came together, affirming their commitment to amicably resolve disputes and engage in a concurrent disarmament process.
Community leaders resolved to utilize traditional and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms to address conflicts locally and established joint resource management committees to tackle resource scarcity and prevent conflicts over resources. They further urged the governments of Kenya and Uganda to prioritize signing a resource-sharing agreement to ensure equitable access to shared resources, benefiting border communities. Additionally, they called for the construction of roads, markets, abattoirs, and other essential infrastructure.
During the forum, Turkana County Governor Hon. Jeremiah Lomorukai urged Ateker community leaders to unite for the common good of the county’s residents. He reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring peace and security in Turkana and pledged to foster collaboration with neighboring communities.
“I am dedicated to supporting government efforts against banditry to protect residents and their property. I also strongly condemn any incitement from leaders regarding border issues and call on everyone to unite in support of the government’s commitment to achieving food security,” he stated.
EAC’s Conflict & Early Warning Expert, Mr. Patrice Mulama, representing EAC’s Deputy Secretary General (IPS& PS) Hon. Ariik Aguer Malueth, noted that since the first peace caravan initiative in July 2023, no major incidents of violence have occurred among the communities at the Ateker Trijunction, demonstrating that peaceful coexistence is possible.
Mr. Mulama reiterated that EAC policy organs have called on EAC Partner States to expedite their boundary delimitation, demarcation, and reaffirmation processes and directed the Secretariat to mobilize resources to support these initiatives.
“The EAC Secretariat has commenced a resource mobilization initiative by developing a Joint Action Plan with the African Union Border Programme on border governance. This plan outlines strategies for joint resource mobilization, and we will enhance our efforts in this endeavor,” he stated.
Representatives from Uganda and South Sudan echoed the call for peaceful coexistence, emphasizing that the resolutions adopted in Moroto, Uganda, are not just words on paper but a commitment to a future where border communities live side by side in peace, share resources equitably, and collaborate for mutual prosperity.
