This second report from the XCEPT action research project, Promoting Peaceful Pastoralism, outlines what the pastoralist researchers on the Uganda/Kenya border have learned since the first report was published in October 2023. As with the first report, it presents the pastoralist communities’ analysis in their own voices.
The report describes how the pastoralists approached their reflections on the evolving security situation in the borderland. They characterise governments, security forces, raiders and thieves as lions, leopards, hyenas and foxes with whom they live. Experience has taught them the importance of knowing their ways, and of assessing their own behaviour towards them. Drawing on these reflections enables pastoralists to identify ways to live well together.
Applying the same reflective approach to their experiences with the different authorities and spoilers in the borderlands, the pastoralists make an political economy analysis. They analyse their own role and identify new approaches to agreements on cross-border issues. They will be using this illustrated report to validate their work within communities and communicate in their negotiations for more trustworthy institutions.
