Figure 2 Local Elders, Somali cluster

Figure 1 Photo from Karamoja

PEACE III program background PEACE III program is a five-year, USAID funded cross-border conflict transformation program implemented by Pact and Mercy Corps with the financial support of the American people through USAID.

The situation

Stability in the Horn of Africa remains threatened. In the last decade, many outbreaks of violence, particularly along the volatile border regions, continue to affect regional security and economic integration. Conflict in the Karamoja cluster of Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia and South Sudan is largely driven by established cultural practices, such as cattle raiding (traditionally part of initiation processes), that have become large in scale and in some cases heavily armed and commercialized. In Somali areas, conflict is mainly as a result of clan differences and extremism. Government-led disarmament in Uganda has reduced domestic cattle rustling, but increased vulnerability to cross-border raids from neighboring countries where disarmament remains nascent or ineffective.

The Kenya-Ethiopia-South Sudan borders have a long history of conflict between the Turkana and their neighbors. The resources of the Omo river basin are likely to attract increasing attention and tri-state boundaries are expected to remain contentious without intervention and improved peace processes. In all cross-border zones historical grievances and competition for scarce resources fuel conflict along ethnic and clan lines, exacerbated by security limitations that enable cycles of cross border and inter-communal conflict to continue.

Our approach

PEACE III, implemented by Pact in partnership with Mercy Corps and local implementing partners, is providing targeted technical and financial support to improve the responsiveness of national and regional actors to prevent and respond to cross border conflict management, and strengthen the capacities of cross border communities to peacefully manage conflict. The program currently works with 20 local CBOs as its local implementing partners in both Karamoja and Somali clusters, as well as with national Conflict Early Warning, Early Response Units (CEWERUs) in Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, Ethiopia and Somalia.

PEACE III Strengthening Cross-Border Conflict Management in the Horn of Africa

Figure 3 Peace III Conflict Subsystems

Where we work

The program is active in five target countries (Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Uganda), in specific cross-border locations within the cross-border zones listed below:

Somali Cluster (Pact): • Lamu / Lower Juba of Kiunga / Raskamboni • Garissa/Lower Juba Cross-Border Zone • Wajir/Upper Juba Cross-Border Zone • Elwak Kenya / Elwak Somali Cross-Border zone • Mandera/Gedo Cross-Border Zone • Moyale: Malka Mari/Eymol / Mubarak Cross-Border Zone • Moyale: Farole Miyo/ Dire/ Dillo / Teltele / Dukana Cross-Border Zone

Karamoja Cluster (Mercy Corps): • Loki -Kapoeta /South Omo Cross -Border • Turkana / Dasenach/ Surma/ Beru/ Nyangatom Cross-Border Zone • Moroto/Loima Cross-Border Zone • Nakapirpirit/Amudat/West Pokot Cross-Border Zone

The program also works with the Regional CEWARN Mechanism, and National CEWERUs to support their strategies and priorities for improved conflict management capacities in their border region.

PEACE III program map

Figure 5 Cultural day organised by a Peace III Partner

Figure 4: Wajir Library and Hall: A PEACE II Peace Dividend project

PEACE III Objectives:

Increased Openness of Communities to Social Reconciliation

We are working towards social reconciliation by building understanding of conflict drivers and positively working with communities to redirect emotions, practices, and ideas from those of conflict to those of peace. PEACE III supports key actors such as local leaders, women and youth in the targeted cross-border cluster areas to deepen and broaden transformative social reconciliation processes. The program emphasizes trauma healing, cultural practices adaptation and peace dividends to increase reconciliation. So far, 6 Peace Dividends projects are being implemented, and dialogues, radio shows and trauma healing sessions conducted.

Mobilizing Community Peace Building Capacities

PEACE III employs a strength-based Appreciative Inquiry (AI) approach to engage whole communities, nurture local leadership, and support effective local responses, ultimately creating sustainable and dense community-led peace networks. A training in AI for all the program team was held to equip PEACE III program staff with skills required to apply the approach throughout program implementation.

Partnerships of Local Governments with their Cross-Border Counterparts and Communities in Conflict Management

Experience across the Horn of Africa shows that local government actors are vitally important actors creating and nurturing peace. Local government serves as an important intermediary between community needs and national Government responses to conflict. In order to promote more effective conflict management, PEACE III involves a wide range of local government representatives in its activities to foster collaborative relationships with their communities and with their counterparts across the borders.

Capacity of Horn of Africa NGO Partners to Support Local Cross-Border Conflict Management Increased

In order to ensure a sustainable program that is grounded in local context the program aims to work with two types of local partners: local CBOs who will be supported and guided in the implementation of local-level activities, and more established NGOs who will provide support and mentorship to these local partners, encourage networking and linkage to government actors. Sub-grants have already been awarded to 20 grass root CBOs who are currently leading cross-border activities implementation in both clusters.

Primary Objective: Strengthened Local Cross-Border Management

Secondary Objective: Responsiveness of Regional and National Institutions to Cross-Border Conflict Improved

PEACE III Model of Change

Figure 6 Somalia, Kenya, S. Sudan and Uganda CEWERU heads in a discussion with the PMP Validation workshop facilitator

Strengthening Targeted Management Systems in CEWARN Network Institutions

The IGAD Conflict Early Warning and Response Mechanism (CEWARN) has emerged as a leading regional actor in conflict management over the last decade with support from numerous actors and efforts, including PEACE II. The PEACE III team is currently working with CEWARN to provide a wide range of technical and institutional support that will help to boost their conflict management approaches in the Horn of Africa. It also works closely with National CEWERUs in each member country, supporting their priorities and systems, and enhancing their engagement at local cross borders locations.

Supporting Targeted Initiatives to Achieve CEWARN Strategic Framework Objectives

To achieve the CEWARN Strategic Framework objectives, PEACE III will provide targeted Short term technical assistance (STTA) to targeted initiatives to advance policy responses. These responses, will not only respond to conflict, but also prevent the reoccurrence of underlying causes of cross-border conflict.

The model of change considers both horizontal and vertical linkage of all peace builders in the program areas

Contacts:

Sarah Gibbons | Chief of Party sgibbons@pactworld.org 254.712.947662 Maurice Amollo O. mamollo@ke.mercycorps.org 254.733.807677

Adan Haji | Deputy Chief of Party ahaji@pactworld.org 254.700.345072 David Gatare dgatare@ug.mercycorps.org 256.779.484.169