The borderlands and their communities have a unique characteristic with potential that must be unveiled and exploited for economic growth. Opportunities include rich cultural heritage, abundant natural resources cross border trade and indigenous knowledge on adaptation to effects of climate change.
However, insecurity, violence and conflicts exacerbated by challenges of climate change, youth unemployment, cross border migration, illicit flow of small and light weapons, poverty and weak infrastructure pose a challenge in transforming these areas.
The United Nations Development Program UNDP today launched the African Borderlands Center in Lodwar the Center will provide research policy analysis and programming dedicated to Africa’s borderlands in creating innovation aimed at transforming security economic and environmental vulnerabilities to over 270 million Africans living in borderland regions.
Speaking during the launch of the program devolution CS Eugene Wamalwa commended UNDP for establishing the center that will provide research, policy analysis and programming focusing on ways to unlock the potential of Africa’s borderlands and transform the lives of communities leaving across the border.
Wamalwa says the country has over the years held peace talks and hosted refugees fleeing conflicts in neighboring countries stands to gain greatly from the center that will be an expert resource in understanding of the unique challenges facing borderlands.
The CS says establishment of devolved governance has helped to foster unity, accountability and promotion of equitable distribution of resources the center will go along way in helping county governments in borderlands to enhance unity and development in protecting the interests of minorities and marginalized communities.
The government of Kenya in collaboration with the Government of Ethiopia and Uganda developed a Bi- lateral frame work to foster peaceful co-existence and socio- economic development of communities leaving along border areas.
Turkana County governor Josphat Nanok The cross-border peace initiative has already witnessed milestones through various peace dividend projects along the border between Kenya and Ethiopia and Uganda he says the Turkana county being one of the border county significantly contributed to conservation of the environment food security and nutrition as well as education.
UNDP resident representative Kenya Walid Badawi says the project is a milestone in UDP effort in sustaining peace initiative among the border communities which are in periphery of their respective countries that will open a new chapter for borderland community for cross border initiatives
EU head of development cooperation in Kenya Hubert Perr says Unity and diversity across borders should be encouraged by creating regional integration in order to achieve cohesion and equality by giving opportunities to the marginalized.
The initiative will greatly enhance the efforts of the government in fostering peace and security as well as poverty eradication the launch of the project in Lodwar town is strategically selected for its proximity to the borders with Uganda South Sudan and Ethiopia.