The communities around the Kenya-Ethiopia border in Moyale-Borona area, have long been associated with internecine violence, extreme poverty, and environmental stress. These have led to disastrous societal consequences, including displacement, criminality and violent extremism. Get more info: http://www.satenaw.com/from-barriers-to-bridges-transformation-of-the-kenya-ethiopia-border-region/

1. From Barriers to Bridges: Transformation of
the Kenya-Ethiopia Border Region

5. The initiative is driven by the need to foster peace and
sustainable development in the cross-border area of
Marsabit County, Kenya, and the Borana/Dawa Zones,
Ethiopia. It was launched in December 2015 by President
Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya and Prime Minister Hailemariam
Desalegn of Ethiopia.
The European Union Ambassador to Kenya, Dr Stefano
Dejak remarked, “I am seeing positive signs of change and
therefore the European Union has decided to partner with
the UN and IGAD, to expand the cross-border programme
to include Mandera Triangle (Kenya-Ethiopia-Somalia), the
Omo (Kenya-South Sudan) and Karamoja (Kenya-Uganda)
clusters”.

7. Among the positive signs is a determination to establish peace as the basis
for integration. Local peace committees, comprising of different ethnic
groups, have been working relentlessly to maintain the peace and
promoting harmonious coexistence. The elders also testified to the fact
that the number of young people getting radicalised and tempted to join
extremist/terror groups had declined significantly.
Devolution has also empowered local authorities and communities, and
has contributed to poverty reduction and effective service delivery in
Marsabit County. The Isiolo-Merille-Marsabit-Moyale road, is now
complete; and it will be a transformational as it will link the region to
Ethiopia, the second most populous country in Africa, and promote
cross-border trade. In addition, this completes the Trans-Africa highway
linking South Africa to Egypt.

9. The region’s socio-economic development potential is great. The large
numbers of livestock can be harnessed for leather, meat and dairy
industries. The cross-border trade between the border communities could
generate tremendous revenue for both countries. The region’s diverse and
rich culture and heritage, evidenced by its historical and geographical sites,
present huge tourism potential. There is also a latent resource for clean
and renewable energy exploitation, as proven by the recent launch of the
Lake Turkana Wind Power Project that is expected to generate 310MW into
the national grid and power one million households.
The UN is collaborating with development partners to tap this enormous
potential to reduce poverty and spur development in various ways. This will
especially benefit women who are significantly involved in cross-border
trade. The UN will soon launch a “HeforShe” initiative/campaign to
empower women and address the problem of gender inequality, and
enhance women’s participation in the development process in both regions.

11. A UN supported “Biashara Centre” – a business incubation centre – was opened in Marsabit Town to
empower the youth and address the problem of youth unemployment, and promote small and medium
enterprises.
Studies carried out, in collaboration with the communities, are helping to understand the causes, drivers,
dynamics and impacts of conflict in the cross-border areas, and possible factors or stakeholders that
could contribute to sustainable peace in the region. This is an important parameter of the African Union
vision on peace and security in the first plan of action under the progressive Agenda 2063.

12. The UN has worked with Marsabit County to review and mainstream the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) into the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP). The revised
CIDP aims at improving the living standards of the people of Marsabit County through
employment creation, reduction of poverty and creation of wealth and expanding public
service delivery in general.
Though integration and trade along the border is still in nascent stages, there is reason for
optimism that it will have long-term positive macroeconomic and social ramifications such as
food security and income generation, particularly for populations who would otherwise suffer
from social exclusion.
Ms Ruth Kagia, in the Office of the President of Kenya who coordinates the programme says,
“This initiative if properly executed may well be a game changer by turning cross border
barriers into bridges of opportunity. Especially among the marginalized and poor communities
to expedite the achievement of a core goal of the SDGs and ending poverty by 2030”.

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