The Paired Group Meeting between Pokot and Turkana

Transcription

The Paired Group Meeting
between Pokot and Turkana,
Matheniko and Pokot of Uganda
in attendance at Lokichar
Reformed Church
OR THE C
ME F
ON
AM
TR
OL
GR
RO
O
P
Dr. Darlington Akabwai
M
PA
N
EP
IZ
OO
TIE
S
PAN A
S
OTIC
IZO
FR
IC
EP
AN
F
AM
GR
PRO
E
PACE
AF
RI C
AIN DE CONTRO
LE
S
DE
THE PAIRED GROUP MEETING BETWEEN POKOT AND TURKANA, MATHENIKO AND POKOT OF UGANDA
THE PAIRED GROUP MEETING BETWEEN
POKOT AND TURKANA, MATHENIKO AND
POKOT OF UGANDA IN ATTENDENCE
AT LOKICHAR REFORMED CHURCH
ON 3RD TO 5TH DECEMBER
by
Dr. Darlington Akabwai
Produced by
Community-based Animal Health and Epidemiology (CAPE) Unit
Pan African Programme for the Control of Epizootics (PACE)
Organization of African Unity/Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (OAU/IBAR)
1
Introduction
T
he Pokot, Dodoth, Tepeth, Toposa, and the Turkana are a people that peace and stability have eluded. Droughts,
politics, lack of pasture and incessant cattle raids from neighboring pastoralist communities are but a few of the
complex issues that cause conflict among them. The Community-based Animal Health and Participatory
Epidemiology Unit (CAPE) of the Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources of the Organization of African Unit
(OAU/IBAR) has been working with the people that live in the Karamoja Cluster, through community harmonisation
meetings and women’s peace crusades-alokita, to broker peace. The meeting between the Pokot-Turkana; and the TepethMatheniko-Pokot was one meeting that grouped the communities for discussions. They met at Lokichar Reformed
Church in Turkana District, from 3 to 5 December 2001.
The specific objectives of the meeting were:
>
To broker peace between the Pokot and Turkana communities that share common borders
>
To support peace initiatives between the Pokot and Turkana
>
To facilitate the research programme of the Management System International (MSI), an organisation from USA that
advises the United States Aid Agency (USAID) on security matters
>
To follow-up the resolutions of previous peace workshops
The CAPE Unit planned three meetings to accomplish these tasks:
>
The Pokot-Tepeth-Matheniko-Turkana Workshop at Lokichar
>
The Dodoth-Lukomomg Focal Meeting of Elders that was scheduled to take place at Kotido District, Uganda, but
was cancelled
>
The Toposa-Turkana Focal Meeting that was held at Lokichoggio from 6 to 7 December, 2001
Neighbouring communities were grouped in pairs as follows:
>
The Ngimatak Turkana and the Pokot -Tepeth
>
The Sonyoka Turkana, and the Pokot of Sigor (Misol)
>
The Ngibilai Turkana and the Pokot of Chemoligot
The Pokot-Tepeth-Matheniko-Turkana Meeting at Lokichar was the first among the series. This meeting was unique in
that it brought together three pairs of the communities that share common borders. The Intermediate Technology
Development Group (ITDG), World Vision POKATUSA1 assisted CAPE Unit, while OXFAM, and Arid Lands attended
the meeting as observers. This report outlines the deliberations during the meeting at Lokichar Reformed Church Centre
in Turkana.
1
POKATUSA is an acronym comprising the first two letters of
the names of four nomadic tribes –the Pokot, Karamoja, Turkana
and Sabiny who live in the border region of Kenya and Uganda
2
Deliberations on the Plan of Action
from the Previous Meeting
P
rior to the Lokichar meeting, in December 2001, the three sets of communities had met in February 2001 and
agreed on the following plans:
>
To establish a joint cattle sale-yard at Kainuk, a border point between the Turkana and Pokot
>
To continue preaching peace, especially to the misguided youth
>
To stop inciting the people as they are already suspicious
>
To identify and hand over offenders to authorities
>
To hold a follow-up joint peace meeting, between the Turkana and the Pokot, within 14 days, in Lokiriama
>
To convene at Alale, a division in West Pokot, for a follow-up workshop
The feedback indicated success and failures. Below are the reasons that were cited for failure to achieve the tasks outlined
in the action plan.
3
Establishing a cattle
sale-yard at Kainuk
4
T
he Turkana have not yet established the yard.
Turkana 90 per cent advantage over them. This is because
Kainuk is on the Turkana side of the border and the Pokot
will have to cross over into Turkana Municipality to trade.
Reasons
The District Veterinary Officer’s Contribution
>
>
>
There is already a sale-yard at Kalemungruok in
Turkana District, near Kainuk. There is, therefore, no
The District Veterinary Officer, Turkana District, on behalf
need to have another yard, in the same location, for
of the Livestock Department, Ministry of Agriculture,
this would confuse livestock owners and traders
recommended Kainuk as the best site for the livestock
The Turkana felt that the Pokot are not serious hence
market because of its strategic position at the border. He
the failure to implement the project
said that during peaceful times, livestock trade thrives but
The Turkana saw no need for a cattle sale-yard consid-
insecurity hampers the growth of such markets in Kainuk.
ering the current insecurity along the borders. How-
The DVO believes that the Pokot and the Turkanas will
ever, they could give it a thought when peace is re-
benefit from these markets if they agree to co-exist
stored
peacefully. He reminded the two communities that they did
not choose to be neighbours; it was God’s plan. They must,
On the subject of a cattle sale-yard, the Pokots responded
therefore, learn to share resources along the common
as follows:
borders.
>
The Pokot, especially those residing at Orwa and
Councilor John Longora
Marich trading centres, fear having a yard at Kainuk
because of insecurity along the border. They prefer to
have one at Marich or between Kainuk and Marich
Councilor John Longora of Rupa, Moroto District in
Pass near the police post.
Uganda informed the participants that the Bokora and the
Matheniko communities, sworn adversaries, faced a similar
Further deliberations
problem on the location of a common livestock market.
The problem was solved when each community set up its
The Turkana asked the Pokot to be genuine about
market, giving traders the freedom to choose the market
resolutions since any show of insincerity would cause more
they favour. Eventually, genuine buyers and sellers used
problems and consequently jeopardise the accomplishments
the two markets freely. “You Turkana, start your own
of the peace meetings. They also pointed out that trading
livestock market, in any place that you feel is secure, and let
in other farm produce has been successful at Kainuk,
the Pokot also set up a market where they feel safe. The
indicating that marketing of livestock should also improve.
two markets will satisfy the needs of the traders, given the
freedom of choice,” advised Longora.
The Pokot
The Pokot reiterated that criminals exist among the two
communities and each person has a duty to expose them
for the sake of peace. They also asserted that tension still
exists along the border and there is need to diffuse it through
follow-up meetings. They expressed fear that only a few of
their people would benefit from the sale-yard, giving the
5
Continuing with
the peace initiative
6
Response from Pokots, Matheniko and
Turkana communities
were stolen during a raid and are in the custody of the
eports indicate that the Pokot and the Matheniko
They implored the Bokora to demonstrate the spirit
have continued meeting to promote peace. They
of goodwill and reconciliation by returning the cattle
also graze livestock together and have established
to the legitimate owners. Unfortunately, the Bokora
a market at Naitakwae Village in Uganda. The two
were not present in this meeting but the councilors
communities are planning to set up a livestock sale-yard in
from Moroto District promised to convey this message
Pokot in Kenya, because Lorengekippi/Nawoyapong trading
to their elders.
R
Bokora Community in a place well known to them.
>
centres in the Pokot and Turkana Districts are safe. The
Elders from Turkana complained that despite the
report also noted that camels taken away during a previous
resolutions of the February meeting in Lokichar
raid by the Pokot have been recovered and restored to the
Reformed Church Centre, tension has built up again
owners. However, the goats are still being held at the
along the borders. They accused the ngirengecupai2 of
divisional headquarters until a later time when they can be
banditry.
given back to the owners. “Though peace exists between
Resolutions
the Karamoja and Pokot of Uganda, there is need to hold
more workshop to reinforce peaceful co-existence and
reduce theft cases,” cautioned the Councilor of Amudat,
>
To diffuse tension that usually prevail after a raid
Nakapiripirit District, Uganda.
>
To continue stressing peaceful co-existence especially
among communities sharing common borders
>
Comments from the Tepeth, Matheniko and
Turkana Communities
To increase peace building efforts on the eastern
borders between the Turkana and the Tepeth
>
The Tepeth, Matheniko and Turkana communities made
To arrest and punish the thieves in the traditional way,
of imposing heavy fines
>
the following observations:
To give accurate information that will lead to the arrest
and incarceration of the culprits, from either side
>
The peace meetings have continued but tension still
exists between the Turkana and Tepeth
>
The three communities singled out the Kenyan Pokot
as people who never live up to their word, and accused
them of troubling the region through incessant raids.
The Pokot were at odds to defend themselves and the
Turkana advised them to emulate the peaceful coexistance between the Matheniko and the Turkana.
They challenged the Pokot residing in Konyao, Kasei,
Lopet, Kalapata, and Kango’oletiang’ locations of West
Pokot District to stop plotting raids against the Turkana
and the Karamoja. Chief Alale of Kalapata Location
in Pokot laboured to defend his people against these
>
These are bandits who rustle cattle after drinking the local brew,
accusations but furious participants from the Turkana
2
community shouted him down.
called waragi, in Uganda
The Pokot informed the meeting about their cows that
3
The first three are clans from the Karamoja community and the
next four are Pokot clans
7
Group discussions
8
T
>
he participants were divided into groups according
Transport and communication gadgets should be put
to the kraals that they come from. They were asked
in place to ease the flow of information from the
to discuss the problems that they face and come
Kenyan to the Ugandan side of the border
>
up with solutions.
Courts of law in pastoralist areas should be
strengthened
>
Group 1 comprised the Matheniko, Tepes, Kamatak,
Alale Pokot, Kasei and Amudat
>
Members of the communities should elect focused
leaders
The group cited the following as major problems:
>
The village elders should form village committees, just
like in other areas
3
Lack of communication facilities hindering efforts to
>
Consultative meetings to foster peace should continue
>
The committees that OAU/IBAR recently identified
act against cattle rustlers
should be strengthened, fully facilitated and strongly
>
High illiteracy levels
represented
>
Petty thefts by the ngirengecupai from the Matheniko
>
toward changing the men’s attitude to violence
community
>
>
Inability of non-governmental organisations (NGOs),
like OAU/IBAR, to penetrate locations in Karamoja
>
>
The stakeholders should introduce income generating
activities
The practice, by community members, of hiding
>
criminals from the authorities
>
Donors and governments of the regions should initiate
programmes to occupy the youth
and Pokot areas for peace crusades
>
The religious community should play an active role
The Government of Kenya, like the Ugandan
The fearless attitude of the men from the Karamojong
government, should introduce a policy on managing
Cluster communities
guns among the pastoralist communities
>
Negative attitude towards temporary peace that is
Respect of human rights should be paramount
broken after short periods by the ng’ajorei on either side
>
Ngibilae, East Pokot and Ngisonyoka
Epidings
Poverty, unemployment and lack of other occupations
to keep the youth busy
>
High bride price
>
Poor management of guns
The three ngipiding’a represent the Turkana section of the
>
Scarcity of water and pasture for the animals
Ngibilae and the Sonyonka; and the Pokot groups from
Chemiligot Division of West Pokot.
Solutions suggested by the Matheniko,
Tepeth, and Turkana Group
Members of the group identified the following problems
>
The groups in conflict should hold frequent and regular
>
Poverty
meetings, supported by elders
>
Illiteracy
The community members should be faithful and
>
Human and livestock diseases
sincere in apprehending and handing over criminals
>
Boundaries: the Turkana allege that the Pokot have
>
to the relevant authorities
>
encroached on their land
The concerned governments should construct or
>
Struggle over pasture and water
improve access roads to alleviate the communication
>
Possession and misuse of illegal firearms
problem in the remote areas
>
Envy for cattle of neighbouring communities leading
to cattle rustling
9
>
deaths of women and children
Sonyonka of Mosol-Naregae-Sigor, West
Pokot
>
Lack of respect for the elders by the youth
The Sonyoka are a sub-tribe of the Turkana, living along
>
External interference with peace among the
the Pokot border in Kainuk. The two communities share
communities
common grazing plains at Naregae on the Turkana side of
Fear, by NGOs, to work among the warring
the border. They also share grazing fields at Mosol and
communities
Sigor divisions of West Pokot.
>
Negative cultural rituals demanding retaliation causing
Solutions
Problems
>
The concerned governments should intervene by
>
Poverty
facilitating common border meetings, for example,
>
Illiteracy
Kapedo in Lomelo Division, Turkana District, urgently
>
Poor infrastructure
needs such meetings between the Pokot and Turkana
>
Lack of pasture and water
communities
>
Human and animal diseases
The road networks should be improved to access
>
Incitement by politicians
deserted areas and improve security
>
Border conflicts between the Pokot and Turkana
Peace meetings and women’s peace crusades should
>
Cattle rustling by bandits
be conducted, regularly, to encourage amity between
>
Frequent cattle raids, mostly from Kasei Division
hostile communities and the sharing of common
>
Unfaithfulness to the peace making process, for
>
>
>
grazing grounds
example, responding to incitements by friends and
The governments of the various countries should offer
parents to go for raids, spreading false reports and
free education, from pre-primary to secondary schools,
exaggerating incidents
>
to discourage idleness and stamp out irresponsible
behaviour
>
process
>
The government and the community elders should
discourage negative cultural values
>
>
The government should construct dams, bore-holes,
Naregae epuke of Turkana District, to work on peace
employment as an alternative to cattle raiding, solve
building
>
Target communities are inaccessible due to poor
infrastructure and long distance
>
The governments should offer credit facilities,
introduce restocking programmemes, and construct a
Lack of spiritual guidance because the raiders do not
attend church services
>
tannery to improve the livelihoods of the pastoralists
>
Lack of a competent NGO, especially in Masol and
irrigation schemes and meat processing plants to offer
standards of the pastoralist communities
>
Possession of illegal firearms, causing restless and
yearning to stage raids
the problem of water shortage, and improve the living
>
Lack of co-operation among leaders towards the peace
Footprints frequently found near kraals on either side
The governments should set up a livestock sale-yard
of Turkana borders causing suspicion and tension
to help upcoming traders
among the people
>
The OAU/IBAR peace initiative should strive to reach
areas not yet covered
Marginalisation of pastoral communities by the
government
>
Fear by NGOs to work in harsh environments, like the
Mosol and Naregae epuke
10
>
>
>
Encouragement of the youth, by the laibons4 , emurons5 ,
Discourage passage of illegal arms by:
because they make money from consultation fees paid
-
promoting the registration of guns
to them
-
disarming those who refuse to hand over their
gun
Incitement by women, especially mothers, purporting
-
to bless the youth when they go for raids
monitoring, through the government, the
progress of the disarmament exercise
Solutions
>
>
Encourage development by identifying priority areas
Reduce the raids by identifying and apprehending gangs
that require funding and approaching NGOs for
and their leaders and handing them over to the
sponsorship
authorities
>
>
Strengthen the peace initiative by:
-
-
selecting village committees and holding
-
agricultural activities, such as community-
seminars to diffuse tension in troubled areas
based animal health programmes and
like Kasei, Kainuk and Nyagaita in West
irrigation scheme
-
to encourage them to embark on income
rustling
generating activities
encouraging spiritual guidance through
>
organising public barazas to preach the
>
importance of peaceful co-existence among
offering honest and accurate reports on stolen
>
livestock
>
Elect development conscious leaders who will not use
political incitement to win popularity
communities
-
Encourage the people to abandon negative cultural
practices
communities
-
extending credit facilities to livestock owners
creating awareness on the evils of cattle
churches, to foster peace among the
-
exploiting natural resources and introducing
frequent peace meetings and emergency
Pokot
-
Alleviate poverty by :
Introduce spiritual guidance through:
requesting NGOs and the government to
-
holding evangelical crusades
offer compensation to the victims
-
setting up churches in conflict prone areas
-
forming pastors village peace committees
Foster co-operation between the communities by:
-
>
holding frequent community harmonisation
meetings at specific epukes
-
Reduce marginalisation of pastoralists communities,
by government, through:
encouraging cooperation between kraal
-
affirmative action
leaders for the sake of peace
-
equal distribution of resources
holding joint peace meetings involving the
-
improvement of infrastructure
youth, elders and women to strengthen the
>
peace initiative and peace rituals and
ceremonies
Minimise the laibon, and ngimuruok6 menace by:
-
organising seminars to educate them on the
importance of peaceful co-existence
4
elders
5
seers
-
source for sufficient funding to support the
peace initiative meetings
11
>
Reduce illiteracy in the area by building schools and
sponsoring the education of the pastoralists’ children
>
Arrest the threat of human and animal diseases by:
-
introducing veterinary services and curative
health services
-
training community-based animal health
workers
12
Discussions
>
There is an urgent need to look into the land issue at Lorokon in Turkana District, and Alale and Kasei in Pokot
District to solve the problem of incessant raids and the killing of charcoal burners at the borders of the two
communities
>
The Tepeth, Pokot and Matheniko communities are calling for a meeting, urgently, to discuss frequent thefts along
the ngipiding’a and video tapes that the CAPE Unit is recording will help influence the thinking of many people
>
The Katilu women have planned to include peace messages in their meeting of 22 to 29 December, 2001
>
Chief Amojong of Loima Location, Turkana District, warned the chief of Kalapata to stop defending his people
and encourage them to participate in discussion that foster peace and development
>
There is need to organise regular meetings for chiefs and district officers from either side of the border
Recommendations
>
The women challenged the men to be serious with peace building because they are tired of loss of life through raids
>
The Pokot of Kenya were singled out as the notorious cattle raiders and advised to embrace change for peace
>
The participants expressed the need for the four governments to work together to control the influx of guns into the
area
>
The participants singled out the land problem between the Pokot and the Turkana as an urgent matter that should be
attended to by the Kenyan government instead of leaving it to the politicians
>
The participants requested governments and the donor community to address marginalisation of the pastoralists
communities and initiate development in the region
Conclusion
It is encouraging to note that for the first time, the Pokot are divided in the issue of cattle rustling. The Pokot of Uganda
and Mosol in Sigor in Kenya are accepting that their kinsmen in Kasei, Kalapata and Konyau are responsible for raids
against neighbouring communities, especially in Turkana District. There is every hope that the community will come to
accept peace through community harmonisation meetings. This hope can only dawn if the political leadership in the
region arrests the inciting of tribes against one another. The Pokot and the Matheniko have already started the wave by
making peace. The women’s peace crusade will be travelling through the region relaying messages of peace.
6
plural for emuron (seers)
13
Appendix I
GROUP ONE
ACTIVITY
WHEN
WHERE
ACTORS
Joint meeting
15.12.01
Lorengikippi
Lorengikippi/Nawoyapong/
Kalapata people/- Contact person,
Mibilia Louriong
Joint community
20.12.01
Lokoricharan
meeting
Joint community
Pokots, Tepes, and Lorengikippi
people-Lokitonyalla
05.01.02
Alale AIC -Akiriamet
meeting
Pokots of Alale and Kalapata,
Turkana of Lorengikippi- Contact
person, chief Alale, Kalapata, and
Lorengikippi and elders.
Joint community
22.01.02
Kochorchor
Kenya and Uganda pokots; Turkana
meeting
and Matheniko of Loputuk- contact `
(three days at least)
persons include the following:
POKATUSA, OAU/IBAR, John
Longora and Tekko, and DPM- West
Pokot, Turkana
Tepes meeting
17.12.01
Moroto
Turkana(Ngikamatak) Mathenikochiefs Turkana, LC5 Chairman, LC5
LC Defence,
Matheniko-
19.12.01
Naitae/ Eteere
Ngikamatak-Jie
and Local government(LC)
meeting
Peace and
Lopeile, Lopelemany, Giran, NGOs
Immediately
Kalapata, Eteere,
reconciliation
Mosol, Tapac, Rupa,
message back home
Lorengikippi,
Namorupus, Lokiriama,
Alale, etc
14
Appendix II
GROUP TWO
Ngibilae- Sonyoka- East Pokot
ACTIVITY
WHEN
WHERE
BY WHO
RESOURCES
REQUIRED
Peace meetings
12.01.02
Chemolingot-
both communities’ elders,
- transportation
Nginyang division;
women, youth and leaders-
- resource persons
Lokori
elites as the criteria for
- funds
even selection of
participants
Opening of
March 2002
trade centres
Lomelo, Kapow,
both communities
- radio services
Lochakula,
and their leaders
(by OAU/IBAR)
Napeitom
- security personnel
Nakoko, and
- water
Nadome
- administration and an
healthy community
Arresting offendersMarch 2002
Pokots and
Provincial Adm.,
- radios
Turkana culprits
the community and Police
- means of transport
- uniforms and hats
- re-grading, and
construction of roads
on insecure zones
Employment of
December 2001
Lokori, and
OAU/IBAR
- two vehicles, motor
two co-ordinators
Chemolingot
- bikes
from the two
(East Pokots)
- radios
communities
- two offices to be
established at Lokori
and Chemolingot
Joint community
15.12.2001
meetings
Joint community
20.12.01
Lorengikippi,
Pokots(U/K),
Contact person-
Nawoyapong,
Matheniko and Tepes(U)
Louriongng
Alale, Achorchor
and Turkana
Lokoricharan
Tepes-Pokots
meeting
Contact personLokitojala
15
Appendix III
GROUP THREE
ACTIVITIES
WHEN
WHERE
BY WHO
RESOURCES
REQUIRED
Peace building initiatives 12.01.02
Peace committees, communities
- transportation
through formalisation of
(Pokots, Turkana), NGOs-ITDG,
- food
village peace committees
OXFAM, OAU, POKATUSA,
- funds
World Vision, NCCK
- other infrastructure
Vet. MOH, SNV, OAU/IBAR
- funds
‘’
15.02.02
Vet. And health services- 12.01.02
Kainuk
Sigor
Kainuk
mobile clinics
ITDG, VSF-B, Min. of Education
and Water, and Community
Offering free education
12.01.02
Kainuk
12.01.02
Kainuk
12.01.02
Kainuk
to nomads
Expansion of irrigation
schemes
Water services
16
Appendix IV
SIGOR DIVISION
VILLAGE PEACE COMMITTEES
1.
Akiriamet S/L- Reuben Komukele
2.
Amolem S/L – Jacob Lokiria
SONYOKA
3.
Tikit S/L- Lillian Cheposera
KATILU DIVISION
4.
Kaitapos S/L – Grace and Ngatulia John
1.
Kalemungorok-Johnson Ekaru
5.
Chepserum S/L- Loriwoluk Lokwadou
2.
Lopur- Rebecca Ekeno
3.
Katilu- Pastor Daniel Apeoot
SEKEROT LOCATION
4.
Lokapel- William Eewoi
1.
Two officials- chief and Councilor
5.
Kanaodon- Musa Akeno
2.
Nyangaita S/L- Ngoriamoler Longeratiang
3.
Amoler S/L- Ngoriamuk Lokuk
KAINUK DIVISION
4.
Takaiywa S/L- Lomerikin Lokwanga
1.
Kaputir- Lobei Lochamba
5.
Rorok (Topocho)- Ngorianggiro Rioken
2.
Nakwamoru- Etiir Ebukut
3.
Juluk (Nariomoru)- Samuel Namathe
SEKERR LOCATION
4.
Kalpelbok- Pastor Achukan James
1.
Orwa S/L – Lochan Ngoriakedo
5.
Lorogon- Elder Nangolol Lolima Korikapel
2.
Kodeta
3.
Nguura
4.
Lodou
MOSOL LOCATION
KAINUK LOCATION
(Chiefs and Councilors)
1.
Kakong’u sub-location- Ezekiel Lowoi
2.
Loyapat sub-location -Daniel Emuria
3.
Kainuk Centre
- Daudi Lemukal
Pastor Christopher Apokon
LOCHAKULA LOCATION
1.
Lokwamosing S/L- Ekai Loiria
2.
Kakwelit S/L- Ekiru Dang’amoe
3.
Lochakulla S/L- Arikuot Ywalakong
4.
Amoler S/L- Esinyen Lodio
5.
Lochaki Lodukumo
17

The Paired Group Meeting between Pokot and Turkana

Transcription

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