IGDA Center for Pastoral Areas and Livestock Development (ICPALD) organized a bilateral two days meeting between Ethiopia and Kenya technical teams in Adama, Ethiopia from 14- 15^th August 2018 to finalize development of the implementation framework (IF) for operationalization of the MoU between the two countries that was signed in June, 2016 by Ministers responsible for livestock. Twenty four (24) participants from Ethiopia, Kenya, and Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Center for Pastoral Areas and Livestock Development (ICPALD), FAO, ACTED (NGO) and community leaders participated.

 Dr. Yismashewa Wogayehu on behalf of the CVO, Ethiopia, opened the meeting. He reiterated the importance of enhanced collaboration between Ethiopia and Kenya to implement the activities contained in the signed MoU. He emphasized that the livestock sector in Ethiopia same as in other IGAD member states is faced with a lot of challenges including transboundary animal diseases (TADs) whose prevention and control require strong collaboration and commitment between regional/ county governments and the two countries and hence the need to finalize the IF to operationalize the MoU areas of cooperation. Welcome remarks were made by Dr. Ameha Sebsibe, on behalf of ICPALD director and Dr. Michael Cheruiyot, on behalf of the Chief Veterinary Officer of Kenya.

 The meeting achieved the following:

• Finalized the development of the IF with clear strategic objectives and activities
• Formed the Joint steering committee (JSC) and multidisciplinary technical committee (MTC) that will provide guidance and follow up with the harmonized implementation of MoU areas of cooperation
• Developed clear Terms of reference for JSC and MTC

 Recommendations and way forward

1. Governments of Ethiopia and Kenya should immediately embark on popularizing the signed MOU and the implementation framework to relevant stakeholders along the cross border, development partners and policy makers for buy -in;
2. Governments of Ethiopia and Kenya as well as IGAD/ ICPALD should jointly and/or independently develop concept notes and approach relevant development partners for resource mobilization both at national and regional levels to embark on harmonized implementation of IF;
3. JSC and MTC should liaise with national/regional/county governments and development partners currently undertaking interventions in cross-border areas to harmonize their activities in line with the developed implementation framework;
4. JSC, MTC should lobby for national resources (from existing budget and manpower) to advance the spirit of the cross border MoU.
5. The CVOs of the two countries should strengthen information sharing on animal health and sanitary issues at national and regional/county levels;
6. Three key activities; agreed for joint implementation by the two countries (participatory disease surveillance (PDS), sero-monitoring, and vaccination against PPR along Turkana-South Omo, and Marsabit-Borana to be undertaken in 2018 using the available resources needs to be coordinated and followed up by JSC and MTC

.ICPALD /IGAD expresses appreciation to the USAID for funding this activity.

                                                         ஜஜ۩END۩ஜஜ

1-08-2018,Khartoum: IGAD /ICPALD organized a bilateral cross-border meeting in Khartoum, Sudan from 1- 2^nd August 2018 to develop a memorandum of agreement between South Sudan and Sudan; it was financed by FAO South Sudan cross border Project funded by the European Union. The   main purpose of the meeting was to develop and provide a framework for stronger cooperation and collaboration between S. Sudan and Sudan along their common border in order to address animal health issues such as disease surveillance, disease control and do timely sharing of animal health and enhance livestock trade there by improving livelihoods of the border communities and the economy of both countries. The meeting brought together 28 participants from South Sudan, Sudan, and Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Center for Pastoral Areas and Livestock Development (ICPALD), IFAD and FAO. Participants consisted of Foreign Affairs Experts from National Governments and relevant experts from the two countries based at federal and bordering states /zones.

 The meeting was opened by Dr. Ahmed Shekaldhin on behalf of the undersecretary (CVO), Sudan. He reiterated the importance of enhanced collaboration between South Sudan and Sudan since they have a long history of brotherhood. TADs know no man made boundary and so the shared position of initiating regional harmonized approach for prevention and control.  He also added that the ties between the two countries are multi-directional such as socio-economic, cultural, and geo-political aspects to mention some. Welcome remarks were made by Dr. Ameha Sebsibe on behalf of ICPALD Director and Dr. Jacob Korok, CVO South Sudan.

The meeting achieved the following:

• Drafted MoU between South Sudan and Sudan
• Developed a roadmap to finalize the drafted MoU
• Established a joint steering committee to follow up and provide guidance on the implementation of the MOU

ICPALD expresses appreciation to the FAO South Sudan for funding this activity through the EU cross border project.

                                                                           ஜஜ۩END۩ஜஜ

11-07-2018, Entebbe, Uganda: The IGAD Centre for Pastoral Areas and Livestock Development (ICPALD) kick started a two day national meeting this morning bringing together legal and policy level experts from the Government of Uganda to review the final technical Protocol on Transhumance in the IGAD Region in Entebbe, Uganda.

June 21^st-22^nd, 2018 (Djibouti)  Officials from the Jubaland State of Somalia at the Djibouti Quarantine laboratory

IGAD/ICPALD facilitated and supported an experience sharing mission for 5 quarantine officials from the Jubaland State of Somalia to the Djibouti Regional Livestock Export Quarantine that is owned by the Prime International Company, in Djibouti. The mission was, specifically for Kisimayo team, with limited export experience, to learn about the standards and guidelines on the development and management of quarantines, guideline and phytosanitary certificates, livestock quarantine and marketing system, exportation systems of livestock to Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries and veterinary port operations, among others

The objectives of the mission were:

• To gain experience and learn from the different facilities of  export quarantines in Djibouti, build partnerships and improve the capacity of export quarantine in the Jubaland State of Somalia;
• To learn from quarantine procedures such as  inspection through certification

 The Kisimayo team visited and learn some good practices from the main quarantine, pre-quarantine and the Port activities where animals are shipped to their terminal markets in MENA; discussed key issues and made the following recommendations. 

 Recommendations

1. At the Djibouti Regional Livestock Export Quarantine, FMD is a challenge as lack of pure vaccine against the diseases pose problems to the livestock export, especially to the importing countries that require animals that are FMD virus antigen free. It is suggested that the IGAD region endeavors to secure and use FMD pure vaccine; The exporting countries also need to strengthen   investing on exporting deboned meat.
2. For the Jubaland State of Somalia, inspection of animals and issuance of health certification fall within the domain of the national authority in Mogadishu and this has affected the work efficiency and quality. Hence, the state needs to negotiate with the central government for authorization or delegation of the Jubaland State to use a national stamp and signature on animal health certificate;
3. Adherence to animal welfare laws is a requirement of importing markets that the Jubaland State of Somalia need to address, especially  putting in place  acceptable infrastructure and standard means of animals transport;
4. For the Jubaland State of Somalia to establish and run a standard export quarantine, provision and sustaining supply of feeds and water, as seen in Djibouti, is key, despite being an expensive activity;
5. IGAD/ICPLAD recommends to the quarantine team to share, to all Kisimayo technical staff, the SMP and SOP quarantine procedures and manual and roll them out to improve compliance of the quarantine.

IGAD/ICPALD expresses appreciation to Italian Development Cooperation for financing this event through the IGAD /FAO implemented livestock and meat project.

                                                                                                     ஜஜ۩END۩ஜஜ