Strengthening Kenya/Ethiopia effort(s) to contain illicit flows at Moyale (Kenya- Ethiopia) border through operationalization of newly constructed one stop border post (OSBP): To spur economic growth, cross border cooperation and Social integration.

Target Beneficiaries

Border Communities in both Ethiopian Moyale and Kenyan Moyale including but not limited to youth, women, business people, elders, and other small traders.

Context

Fully operationalizing mode of cross border trade engagement through One Stop Border Post is not a walk in the park. Once fully operationalized, One Stop Border Post presents an opportunity to deter criminal activities, ensures human safety and security, minimize transactional cost of doing business, improve livelihood of border communities and enhance international social and economic integration. There are illegal trade routes locally referred to as Panya routes, which are manned by ethnic police reservists in Ethiopia and corrupt police officers in Kenya. These routes used by unscrupulous traders and businessmen defraud both governments millions of dollars in taxes revenue every year. In addition, the routes are commonly used by local ethnic militias during inter communal conflicts and human and drug trafficking racketeers to smuggle immigrants and narcotics to Nairobi and beyond on regular basis. The drivers of these illicit activities are jobless youth, brokers, renowned business people, rogue government officials and the ethnic police reservists. Moreover, illegal routes expose women traders to various risks including sexual harassment, arrest, confiscation and loss of goods to conmen.

Objective (s)

To support the operationalization of Moyale Kenya/Ethiopia One Stop Border Post (OSBP) for economic transformation, social cohesion and integration.

Methodological Approach

• The project started off by ensuring project ownership both Government and Local Communities followed by Cross Border discussion between border officials and local community leaders to disseminate knowledge and communicate the purpose and potentials of the OSBP.
• A joint informal cross border committee was established to reach out to general population and lobby governments in the implementation of the project. With activities on deterrence of criminal activities, cross border trade and conflict resolution and building social harmony among the local communities the committee have had the pivotal role of the success to the project.
• The project through a joint dialogue forum between joint cross border committee and informal cross border traders supported to disseminate knowledge on importance of using OSBP and its contribution to peace and security.
• In every step stakeholder participation and ownership was ensured throughout the project. The project implementation also followed a gender inclusive approach
• Moreover, the project in every step has included adequate mass sensitization and involvement of all relevant stakeholders, worked with local administration, and peace committees, and build capacities of border officials and encourage whistleblowing.

Results

• Project ownership by both Government and Local Communities was ensured. Reports from stakeholders’ dialogues show that both local government officials and community leaders endorse the project initiatives and support the continued realization of the project objective.
• Joint Informal Cross Border Committee (ICBC) was established. Report from the establishment meeting show that the mandates of the committee originate from deliberations by all relevant stakeholder which guarantees ownership and compliance. Moreover, the participatory approach also ensures the representation of all groups including Representative of all local communities living in both Moyales, Youth, Women, Business people, Elders, Traditional institution, Religious leaders and, Local chiefs.
• A successful Cross Border discussion between border officials and local community leaders to disseminate knowledge about the OSBP. Reports show that the detailed role of border management institutions and departments was communicated to community member to create awareness. The Cross-Border discussion also helped in the identification of day-to-day challenges faced by the community in the borders.
• A successful joint dialogue held between joint cross border committee and informal cross border traders to disseminate knowledge on importance of using OSBP and its contribution to peace and security. Report from the joint dialogues show that the discussion clearly identified the benefits and challenges of the OSBP followed by recommendations and way forward agreements between the participants.

Impact

• The project has improved coordination, collaboration and communication between border officials and local community structures including elders and informal cross border traders
• The project also established platform through which local community structures can interrogate, ventilate and demand answers from border officials of both country on issues that affects them.
• The project has also psychologically prepared local elders and informal cross border traders for impending OSBP operations and its importance in deterring criminal activities.
• Informal Cross Border Committee (ICBC) platform has established avenues for alternative voice in addressing cross border community grievances.
• The project has also established sustainable cross border linkages between elders from Moyale Kenya and Moyale Ethiopia and informal cross border traders.

The project’s overarching impacts are directly linked to the advancement of the 5 Pillars of the AU Border Governance Strategy affecting Development of Capabilities for Border Governance, Conflict Prevention and Resolution, Border Security & Transnational Threats, Mobility, Migration & Trade Facilitation, Cooperative Border Management and, Borderland Development & Community Engagement.

Success Factors

• Active stakeholder engagement such as government officials, community leaders, and cross border traders.
• Active community engagement and sensitization
• The OSBP has enabled active engagement of government officials from both sides.

Constraints

• Little understanding of the local communities on the operation of OSBP. Local Communities including their leadership have very little understanding of OSBP thus a lot of sensitization work through the committee formed and the various dialogues were undertaken.
• Limited actors operating on cross border issues. Very little room for synergy with other non-state actors since focus of many actors are in country or have no relationship with OSBP operations.

Sustainability

• The formation of the Informal Cross Border Committee (ICBC) is part of the success of the project leading to continued ownership of the initiative by the relevant stakeholders including the general public.
• For long term sustainability periodic ICBC meetings must be further supported and the ICBC must be linked to other existing or upcoming cross border projects.
• Respective federal and national government offices like Deputy County Commissioner’s office (Kenya) and Moyale Woreda administration (Ethiopia) must integrate ICBC members into local peace and security structures like sub county peace forums recognized by their offices.

Replicability

• So far the project has not been replicated however the core success factors listed above show that comparable circumstances might enable a success in similar projects. OSBPs have had their own additions to the success in the project hence the same might be implemented in other OSBP in other parts of the East African region or the African continent.
• Local governments willingness and interest in the implementation has also contributed immensely for the success of this project hence should be seen as a major factor to be considered for further replication.
• Furthermore, local NGOs as the one implementing this project are crucial for identifying the key issues and addressing the challenges faced at the grass root level. Hence while implementing the project in a large-scale due attention must be given to the engagement of local actors and change makers.