The livelihoods of the communities in the Karamoja Cluster (along the borders of Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan and Uganda) are characterized by frequent cross border movements. The sharing of common natural resources, marketing of livestock and livestock products in the cluster leaves these (agro)pastoralists more vulnerable to frequent outbreaks of Transboundary Animal Diseases (TADs) and pests. There is limited coordination in animal health delivery by the respective countries and other animal health service providers in a way that efficiently addresses the obstacles of the livestock production and marketing from the area.

The IGAD Center for Pastoral Areas and Livestock Development (ICPALD) organized several regional cross-border meetings for harmonization and coordination of veterinary activities. Out of these efforts, a multilateral Karamoja Cluster draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was developed in 2015, and submitted to each of the four countries for legal processes in 2016.

The signing of this MoU illustrates these countries’ commitment to implement a coordinated approach to prevention and control of TADs through surveillance, vaccination programmes, management of livestock movement and trade. The MoU signing ceremony was preceded by a two day technical meeting from the 3^rd to 4^th of July, during which an implementation framework to operationalize the MoU was developed.  

Objective:

The signed MoU will formally establish a coordinated approach to animal health and sanitary issues for the communities in the cross-border areas between Ethiopia (Southern Nations and Nationalities Peoples), Kenya (Turkana and Pokot counties), South Sudan (Eastern Equatorial State) and Uganda (Districts of Karamoja). This unified framework will ensure cooperation and a unified approach to planning, management and execution of the Joint Programme on Cross-border Animal Health and sanitary activities.

The implementation of the MoU will contribute greatly to harmonized animal disease surveillance, vaccinations and treatments; strengthen animal health information system; mapping of stock routes; management of livestock movements through a livestock identification and traceability system; and awareness creation on animal health issues among the cross-border communities.

The MoU builds on the provisions of the IGAD agreement, the 2009 signed Regional Policy Framework on Animal Health (RPFAH) in the context of trade and vulnerability, the EAC treaty, and operationalizes the livestock policies of AU-IBAR, IGAD, EAC, and national policy and legal frameworks of the signatory countries. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), USAID and the European Union (EU) are key development partners in this process.

In attendance:

• H.E. Dr. Gebre Egziabher Gebre Yohannes - State Minister for Livestock and Fisheries, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
• Hon. Mwangi Kiunjuri - Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, Kenya
• Hon. James Janka Duku - Minister of Livestock and Fisheries, South Sudan
• Hon. Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempijja - Cabinet Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Uganda