EAC to host High Level Sensitisation Forums on Peaceful Co Existence among the Ateker Border Communities in Kenya, Uganda and South Sudan

EAC to host High-Level Sensitisation Forums on Peaceful Co-Existence among the Ateker Border Communities in Kenya, Uganda and South Sudan

Written on 29 October 2024. Posted in Peace & Security

East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 29th October 2024: The Tri-Junction, where Kenya's Turkana, Uganda's Karamojong, and South Sudan's Toposa and Didinga communities converge, has long been marked by rich cultural diversity and shared histories. However, boundary disputes have strained these ties, impacting peace, security and economic growth.

In the spirit of good neighbourliness and to promote peaceful coexistence, the East African Community (EAC) Secretariat, in collaboration with the Republics of Kenya, Uganda and South Sudan, have organised a high-level meeting of the Ateker Border Communities to take place from 30th October - 7th November, 2024.

This one-week engagement will kick off in Moroto, Uganda, with the primary objective of submitting to the high-level border community leaders the resolutions of the first EAC Peace Caravan held in July 2023 and the implementation framework for their consideration.

The meeting will also provide an opportunity to present the Peace Caravan resolutions to the leaders of the Tri-Junction for their review and approval. Further, the meeting will review and adopt the draft framework for the implementation of these resolutions and the border community sensitization programme.

Following the meeting, the leaders will jointly launch the sensitisation programme in Moroto focusing on peaceful coexistence, good neighbourliness and prosperity for border communities. This initiative will set in motion a series of sensitisation and awareness activities that will take place in Lokichogio, Kenya, and Narus, South Sudan.

The events are set to conclude with a two-day review meeting in Lodwar, Turkana County, Kenya.

Speaking ahead of the mission, the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Infrastructure, Productive, Social and Political Sectors, Hon. Andrea Aguer Ariik Malueth, said that the EAC Peace Caravan, which was launched in July 2023, had promoted dialogue, confidence-building and sustainable conflict resolution.

"Since the Peace Caravan, no major incidents of violence have occurred among the communities. This current mission builds on that momentum, focusing on dialogue to address root issues such as land ownership, resource sharing and historical claims," said Hon. Ariik.

Hon. Ariik further said that the leaders will work to improve security coordination across borders to curb incidents like cattle rustling and cross-border attacks. Additionally, economic cooperation is a key priority, with discussions aimed at enhancing cross-border trade, infrastructure development, and access to shared resources like water and pasturelands, which are vital for the livelihoods of these communities.

The mission is supported by the African Union and GIZ and also seeks to promote cultural exchanges and encourage unity while preserving the distinct traditions of each community.

For more information, please contact:

Simon Peter Owaka
Senior Public Relations Officer
Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department
EAC Secretariat
Arusha, Tanzania
Tel: +255 768 552087
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

About the East African Community Secretariat:

The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of eight (8) Partner States, comprising the Republic of Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Kenya, the Republic of Rwanda, the Federal Republic of Somalia, the Republic of South Sudan, the Republic of Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania. The Federal Republic of Somalia was admitted into the EAC bloc by the Summit of EAC Heads of State on 24^th November, 2023 and became a full member on 4^th March, 2024.

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