UK Bolsters Borderland Security Near Ethiopia with Millions

Nov 11 , 2023

The security concerns in the Ethiopia-Kenya-Somalia border foresee a 10 million pound peace program to be implemented over the next three years. Financed by the United Kingdom, the project dubbed "Deris Wanaag", which translates to good neighbourliness in Somali, is expected to support the formulation of effective policy and build resilience against instability and violence in the region. Mustafe Omar, president of the Somali Regional State launched the program in Jijiga last week, with representatives from the British Embassy. He highlighted the importance of cross-border partnerships in addressing instabilities where many socio-economic dynamics are shared. The focus on integrating national responses to insecurity, supporting conflict resolution structures, and aligning development and peacebuilding activity across the three countries was mentioned by Embassy representatives. Borderlands across the horn of Africa are hampered by isolation, conflict, displacement, poverty, and rapid population growth, mainly within the borderland clusters of Karamoja, Borana, Somali, and Dikhil, according to a World Bank report in 2020. Having historically suffered from underinvestment and whose challenges and vulnerabilities, the report suggested policies that enhance trade and mobility, shared management of land and water resources, and investments in infrastructure.