Impact of Cross-Border Pastoral Conflicts on Ethio-Kenyan Relations Since 1990
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Date
2007-04
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This study is about the impact of cross-border pastoral conflicts on the
bilateral relations between Ethiopia and Kenya. It focuses on the conflicts
between or amon g the pastoralists (Borana, Gam, Degido and the Gabbra)
who live in Moyale and Marsabit border districts of Southern Ethiopia and
Northern Kenya. The environmental condition of the case study area is arid
and semi- arid . The study is also limited to the period 1990- 2006. By
employing qualitative research methodology and selected theories of political
s cience and internation al relations, using both primary and secondary source
ma terials, the research proved that the impact of cross border pastoral
conflicts in the study area in a ltering the nature of the bi-lateral relations of
the two countries has been insignificant, although, there have been an
mcrease in intensity and scope of the cross-border pastoral conflicts. The
conflicts have tested their relations in these years. The study also proved that
marginalization of the pastoralists emanated from the nature of the origin of
the states and the nature of state- society relations. This has existed since
their creations. The nature of the governments of both states that have been
characterized by domination, ineqUality, non- democratic or autocratic nature
is the main cause for the insignificance of the impacts.
There are various sources of the cross-border pastoral conflict that made the
area conflict prone. They include; the natural resource degradation,
population increase especially due to refugee concentration, governance
problems, continuation of the marginalization and others. Overall, this study
is important because it relates two contradictory issues (cross- border
pastoral conflict and peaceful diplomatic relations) . The marginalization of the
pastoralists negatively affected the lives of the pastoral society in all aspects.
Moreover, it also proved that the impact of cross border pastoral conflicts on
the bi-lateral relations has been insignificant.
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international reiatios