On Wednesday, delegations from Kenya and Uganda began a three-day meeting in Nairobi to discuss peace, security, and development along their shared border.
The meeting will focus on reviewing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) related to a cross-border program aimed at promoting sustainable peace and development in the Karamoja, Turkana, and West Pokot regions.
Key topics for discussion include ceasing hostilities among neighboring communities, curbing the illegal flow of arms and ammunition, and empowering local and county governments to prevent conflicts and foster sustainable peace.
Additional issues on the agenda include peacebuilding, community resilience, conflict management, cross-border trade and investment, and the elimination of harmful practices like Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
The MoU under review also addresses improving livelihoods, food security, basic social services, infrastructure, and ensuring the free movement of people, livestock, and goods across the border.
Furthermore, the meeting will explore rights to access shared resources for communities along the Turkana and Pokot regions of Kenya and the Karamoja and Sebei areas of Uganda.
Maria Cherono, Kenya’s lead delegate, emphasized that the primary aim of the bilateral discussions is to promote peaceful coexistence and enhance the socio-economic conditions for sustainable development.
“I believe that our collaboration on this initiative will benefit the communities we serve and strengthen our partnership, contributing to our shared goals of peace and development across borders,” she stated.
Her Ugandan counterpart, Andrew Musiime, noted that the talks would also address long-term peace and investment opportunities in the border areas.
The meeting is expected to conclude with the signing of agreements by Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for East African Community, ASALs, and Regional Development, Beatrice Moe, and Uganda’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community Affairs, Rebecca Kadaga.
