Protocol on Cattle Rustling Will Make a Difference
blurb:isstoday:290808cattleprot
29 August 2008: Protocol on Cattle Rustling Will Make a Difference
For the first time in the history of East Africa, a Protocol is to be signed today, 29 August 2008, to address the problem of cattle rustling and by extension reduce the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the region. It will also contribute to fostering a favourable environment for development in affected pastoral regions. The regional approach towards addressing the problem of cattle rustling and attendant violent conflicts is certainly a great achievement in enhancing human security in Eastern Africa.
The Eastern Africa Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation (EAPCCO) Protocol on the Prevention, Combating and Eradication of Cattle Rustling in Eastern Africa will be signed during the organisation’s Annual General Meeting (AGM). Member states expected to sign includes Burundi, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.
In the past, pastoralist communities engaged in cattle rustling as a cultural practice with mundane intentions. The emergence and application of small arms, however, transformed the practice into violent conflict that has continued to threaten human security at the community, national and regional levels.
The nexus between cattle rustling and the proliferation of small arms and light weapons increases the need to address the problem from a legal, administrative and political platform. In this respect, the EAPCCO Protocol will be complimenting and not duplicating the initiatives that are ongoing at the national, regional as well as at the global level towards addressing small arms proliferation, enhance human security and foster development.
While other significant protocols have been signed by member states in the past, the EAPCCO Protocol has its own unique role and contribution in enhancing human security. The relevant ministers in charge of internal security or internal affairs and the designated officers will be supporting the initiative led by the police under the auspices of EAPCCO. This collaboration between line ministries and police demonstrate state commitment in preventing, combating and eradicating cattle rustling.
One of the key contributions of the EAPCCO Protocol will be to compliment the Nairobi Protocol for the Prevention, Control and Reduction of Small Arms and Light Weapons in the Great Lakes and the Horn of Africa. The Nairobi Protocol was signed in 2004 under the auspices of the Nairobi Secretariat or as it is currently known, the Regional Centre on Small Arms (RECSA) renamed in 2005. While as the Nairobi Protocol specifically addresses the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, the core of the EAPCCO Protocol will be to combat cattle rustling in Eastern Africa.
The drafting process of the EAPCCO Protocol on Cattle Rustling mainly involved legal officers from law enforcement agencies, particularly the police. However, civil society groups, community representatives and parliamentarians made an input at the refining stage of the Draft Protocol. Significantly, the involvement of these key public representatives demonstrates that the EAPCCO Protocol is conscious of the magnitude of the problem of cattle rustling. The connection between law enforcement agencies and stakeholders presents a unique opportunity of partnership through a representative approach. Indeed, law enforcement agencies require the support of communities at the grassroots, civil society groups, parliamentarians and other stakeholders in the implementation process of the Protocol.
Further, the complimentary role could be explained in respect of the signing of the Protocol and subsequent ratification, domestication and full implementation. Subsequent to the signing of the Nairobi Protocol on Small Arms, the State parties established National Focal Points (NFPs) to coordinate national activities towards addressing the problem of small arms. Also, states developed National Action Plans (NAPs) that detailed activities and initiatives to be undertaken within specified timeframes. The EAPCCO Protocol will be complimenting the implementation process of NAPs, considering that cattle rustling and violent activities have not only continued to be a serious security threat but also undermine states’ efforts to enhance human security.
The other complimentary role of the implementation process of the EAPCCO Protocol is the capacity building of different actors that will be required to play specific roles: the police, livestock and veterinary departments, customs and border control officers, parliamentarians, civil society groups and community representatives. Some of these players and actors will also be playing key roles in the implementation process of the Nairobi Protocol.
Since the signing of the Nairobi Protocol in 2004, at least 9 states have so far ratified, out of 12 member states and 4 neighbouring states. Even though states are required to commit adequate human and material resources towards addressing small arms proliferation, at least the political will demonstrated by the states is a clear indication that national initiatives, coupled with regional collaboration, stand great chance to yield the much desired result to enhance human security, promote development and reduce poverty in the sub-region.
Similarly, the signing of the EAPCCO Protocol on Cattle Rustling will provide the required impetus and support towards the ratification and domestication process as well as the full implementation of the Protocol. Indeed, the significance of the EAPCCO Protocol may also be underscored in respect of the benefits it will accrue in relation to the pillars of implementation. These include: research; legislative measures; training; dissemination of information and community outreach. It will also mean regional cooperation, coordination and networking, as well as the establishment of a documentation and resource centre on issues relating to cattle rustling, pastoral conflicts and pastoralism in general.
Augusta Muchai, Programme Head, Mifugo Project, ISS Nairobi
