Page 78 - MANDERA-COUNTY- REVIEW-3RD-EDITION

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administrators, in particular Banisa sub-county
administrators; Department of Conflict Resolu-
tion, Cohesion and Integration of Mandera Coun-
ty Government and administrators from Mubark
and Filtu zones of Ethiopia. Alhamdulillah, we
are now enjoying a period of peace and tranquil-
ity, courtesy of a sustained and consolidated ef-
fort by Kenya and Ethiopian governments.
Communities residing along the Kenya-Ethiopia
border celebrated the achievement by return-
ing either lost and found or stolen animals from
either sides. The Mubarak zone administration
handed over some of the animals stolen during
past conflicts including, 15 cows (two died while
on transit) and four camels. Members of the De-
godia community reciprocated by handing over
seven camels and a donkey.
Mandera County Government takes matters of
cohesion very seriously. Over the years, conflicts
over scarce resource have flared up in the re-
gion, leading to inter-clan tensions between the
pastoral communities. The Garreh and Degodia
clans have been embroiled in several inter-clan
conflicts, resulting in a chronic humanitarian cri-
sis affecting both communities. As a result, ei-
ther side has lost many lives and properties.

Banisa peace caravan
Governor Ali Roba, together with political lead-
ers of the county, including Senator Mohamed
Mohamud, Hon Rtd Major Bashir, Hon Kullow Ali
Shiekh, Hon Mohamed Abdow, several MCAs,
and the county security team led by the County
Mandera County Government takes matters of cohesion very Commissioner, set on a two-day peace building
mission to Banissa sub-county where inter-clan
seriously. Over the years, conflicts over scarce resource have violence had flared up recently. The mission’s
flared up in the region, leading to inter-clan tensions between first stop was in Rhamu town, followed by Ola
and Churuqo. The leaders condoled with rela-
the pastoral communities. tives of the victims of the violence during the
two-day mission.
Thereafter, a grand peace rally was held in
Banisa town. Both Garre and Degodia clansmen
attended the rally. The following declaration was
tegration, initiated cease-fire programmes. es to the Mandera security team. One notable made during the rally:
Stakeholders such as the National Cohesion achievement was the immediate increase in That no politician will entertain armed criminals
and Integration Commission (NCIC), under the number of security officers in the county. who hide behind the name of their clans to per-
the chairmanship of commissioner Francis ole Sophisticated equipment was also deployed petrate acts of violence against any citizen in
Kaparo were coopted into the programme. to the county. A commitment to support police Mandera. That the law will take its course and
reservists was also made by the county gov- the leaders will support the national security ap-
As a result of focused leadership and collab- ernment by paying the 335 national police re- paratus to deal with any threat to peace without
orative efforts among various stakeholders, servists a salary of 15,000 and providing nine hindrance.
dialogue was initiated. These peace initiatives vehicles for security night patrols. It was further declared that:
raised hope that the communication between This boosted the morale of citizens and the Any clan-armed gang that perpetrates violence
‘warring’ parties would foster peace and end local security team, leading to even greater against civilians will be labelled as criminal. That
conflicts. collaboration and determination to seek long- these criminals will be denied protection of any
The County Government launched reconcili- lasting solutions to conflicts. The County kind, and any politician, clan elder or common
ation and relationship-building programmes Government also supported and funded the mwananchi who shields them will also be ar-
at the sub-counties to bring together warring construction of patrol bases at hotspot areas rested as an accomplice.
communities. Peace stakeholders, under the like Burmayo, Malkaruqa, El-ram, and Sukela The Governor called on the national government
stewardship of the Department of Conflict Tinfa, among others. to ensure peace prevails in the county, and that
Management, Cohesion and Integration, sup- Since then, peace has largely prevailed in the incidents of inter-clan violence in Ethiopia are
ported and promoted dialogue and relation- county. Indeed after the elections last year, not allowed to spill over to Kenya.
ship-building in the community. More than 180 there was a deliberate effort by communities
peace dialogue meetings were conducted at to embrace peace and cohesion. This entailed Other peace initiatives
various levels in the county. shunning negative discrimination and policies • Security partnership with the national govern-
But the security sector was ill-equipped and that promote exclusion. ment
faced with operational challenges at the time. On January 11, this year, a ceremony to ce- • Deradicalisation initiatives in partnership with
Focus at the time was mainly on the headquar- ment peace initiatives and to celebrate ef- the national government and civil society organ-
ters, leaving many wards vulnerable to attacks forts to foster peace, was held at Malkamari isations
and militia control. in Banisa sub-county. This was the first event • Malkamari cross border peace initiative
The County Government reached out to the of its kind since the end of conflicts in 2016. It • Wargaduud-Waranqara peace mission.
national government to allocate more resourc- was attended by both Kenyan and Ethiopian