IGAD hosts high-level consultation on inter-state cooperation for Karamoja Cluster, inaugurates coordination Unit in Moroto

IGAD hosted a high-level consultation meeting on inter-state cooperation in the Karamoja Cluster on 26 July 2018 in Moroto town, Uganda. The meeting was attended by Ministers in-charge of resilience as well as other senior officials from Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan and Uganda. Representatives of relevant programmes of IGAD such as the IGAD Drought Disaster Resilience and Sustainability Initiative (IDDRSI), IGAD Centre For Pastoral Areas Development And Livestock Development (ICPALD), the Peace and Security Division (PSD) as well as representatives of development partners were also present.

The high-level consultative meeting that was chaired by Hon. Musa Ecweru, Minister of State for Relief and Disaster Preparedness of the Republic of Uganda, deliberated on a number of issues including the need to regularly convene a cross-border communal dialogue. The cross border dialogue is intended to enable communities in the Karamoja Cluster to engage with their counterparts across borders as well as to share their concerns and inform priority areas for IGAD’s intervention.

 The Karamoja Cluster Cross-border Development Facilitation Unit was also inaugurated through a colorful ceremony that was officiated by Ministers in charge of Resilience for Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan and Uganda as well as Mr. Mohammed Moussa representing the IGAD Executive Secretary.

The unit, which is a first of several that will be set up in other clusters across the IGAD region, is tasked with leading and coordinating the participatory development and implementation of a Karamoja cluster integrated development plan. It will also serve as a resource center on peace and development issues in the Karamoja Cluster.

 Member States have agree to begin to support the effective functioning of the Unit by seconding staff to fill key technical positions related to programming, Knowledge management, conflict prevention and peace building as well as rural development.

 The meeting was preceded by a two day cross-border dialogue for Karamoja Cluster from 24-25 July 2018. The first of its kind, the cross-border dialogue drew together local administrative officials, community leaders as well as representatives of women and youth actively working on peace and development issues across borders – from Kenya, South Sudan and Uganda.

This activity was co-funded by the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development  (BMZ).