Mr. Amanuel Adnew, Executive Director of CDG welcomed participants to the workshop and thanked them for honoring the invitation extended to them. He heighted that objectives of the was neither to make analysis of border issues nor policy study; but focuses on the challenges encountered during the implementations of a project aimed at Peace building, Development and cross-border communities’ resilience risk and vulnerabilities. He added that policy related challenges were identified by assessment done in the course of project implementation and the findings are presented here to the attention of participants.
After concluding his statements, Mr. Amanuel Adnew called up on H.E. Dr. Dima Nogo, Chairman of Ethiopian House of Representatives External Affairs Standing Committee to make a keynote speech. Accordingly, Dr. Dima Nogo stated that such activities that reach the grassroots community come up with issues of peace, development and good governance which are input to policy makers. Referring to communities living along Ethiopia Kenya border, the communities lived peacefully for generation under different systems of governments. He added that despite the relative peaceful environment along the border areas of the two countries, there are still challenges to peace, development and governance that demand collaboration and the lessons learned from this project could be exemplary to other border areas to replicate.
Mrs. Sheba Teferi, Austrian Development Agency’s Program Manager, spoke about contribution of ADA in support of building peace, governance and development adding that in this project, which is referred to as Triple Nexus, ADA engaged with the VSO since they have more experience in it. Mrs. Sheba Teferi said that despite the relative peace along border of the two countries, there are sporadic conflicts as she herself witnessed under a terrifying incident in which she lost her belongings and passport on the Kenya side and had to return to Ethiopia without visa. Thus she underscored the huge impact of the project which could have positive impact for the whole of Ethiopia and added that they would like to encourage the CDG.
Reflections
The project the CDG implemented in partnership with VSO Ethiopia and in collaboration with HODI from Kenya side was titled “Integrating Peace-building Development and Humanitarian Efforts (IPDHE) along Ethio-Kenyan Border”. Today’s workshop brought together officials from relevant offices of the government: Ministry of Peace, Ministry of Agriculture, and Federal Policy Commission, Ministry Trade and Regional Integrations, Regional Government officials and others. Briefs were annotated as follows:
Policy should exist to regulate cross border issues: Dr. Abera Deressa, former Minister of Agriculture stated that normally there are policies governing cross border relations of countries. But if it exists though overlooked, then it should be communicated publicly to the grassroots community. If on the other hand, there is no policy regarding a given sector, the government should intervene to fill the gap based on the input of the CDG, which is expectedly a contribution expected of an NGO, he said.
CDG reached far away communities: Mr. Mesfin Abebe President of Ethiopian Federal Police University appreciated the CDG for reaching far off communities living along Ethiopia Kenya border lines. He added that the project has importance in communicating with the communities as well as in bringing issues to government sectors for their attention to act. He added that acts of crime should be controlled while focusing on peaceful interactions of communities that possess shared values and that are interdependent in their daily lives, he stressed.
Appreciable recommendations: CDG accomplished lots of activities and forwarded appreciable recommendation on the need to resolve cross border issues, Ambassador Eshetu Dessie, said. There are similar cross border issues like in Gambella – South Sudan, South Western Ethiopia, Somali Region and Djibouti. He added that there is expectation to undertake activities appropriate to each of the areas with involvement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he noted.
Follow up Forum exists: Mrs. Yewubdar Seyoum, IGAD representative based in Kenya explained that owing to strong relations with Kenya they meet to discuss issues with authorities in Kenya which gives opportunity for collaboration. She said there is follow up mechanism in which reports are presented from the government side too.
Members of the communities who were involved in the assessment process and those elected into Peace Committees of Moyale – Moyale and Miyo – Sololo, which is, Ethiopia and Kenya had reflections during the workshop sessions. They said the findings and recommendation were what exist and what they know from real life experience.
CDG presented reality on the ground: Dr. Yohanes Girma, Advisor to the Minister of Agriculture, spoke that he knows what prevails along the border there since he was born and brought up in the area. He added that conflicts were there even before but now the intensity has increased. Protocol (Memorandum of Understanding) was signed to promote mutual benefit, he said even though it is difficult to control everything because of continuous movements of peoples and resources, he explained.
Closing Remark
Professor Bekele Gutema, from Addis Ababa University who is Board Chairperson of CDG made the closing remark. In his remark he congratulated the CDG for the good work as acknowledged here today. It opens the way for more other similar activities elsewhere through prior identification. It is necessary to make the assessment complete and circulate to stakeholders since it would be used as input. Those who did the works and who made collaboration deserve thanking. He finally thanked ADA on behalf of the organization and on his own behalf.