CEWARN and partners hosted official launch events of livestock markets in Magado Kebele in Oromia Regional State of Ethiopia and Sololo sub-county in Marsabit County of Kenya along the Ethiopia-Kenya border.

The launch of the Sololo livestock market was held on location some 80 Kms from Moyale town on 14 August, in the presence of Deputy Governor of Marsabit County Mr. Solomon Gubo; Secretary in charge of peace-building and conflict management and disaster response of the Republic of Kenya Mr. Peter Thuku; CEWARN Director Mr. Camlus Omogo and other officials.

The construction of the livestock markets was coordinated by the national Conflict Early Warning and Response Units of Ethiopia and Kenya with financial support from USAID Kenya and East Africa.

The construction of the markets began in 2011 and they have been partially inaugurated for use since 2015. Subsequently, additional market stalls for women vendors have also been constructed. Other partners that have supported market construction and refurbishing include: IGAD’s Regional Pastoral Livelihoods Resilience Project (RPLRP); the InterAfrica Group (IAG) from Ethiopia and Community Initiative Facilitation and Assistance (CIFA-Kenya).

The livestock markets are expected to boost cross-border livestock trade, which is the mainstay of pastoral communities from the two countries that live along the border. It is also intended to provide economic stimulus to the communities whose livelihoods have been affected by recurring conflicts in the area.

In addition, the markets are expected to serve as connectors that strengthen inter-communal ties among the borderland communities as well as foster regular interaction and exchange of information to mitigate inter-communal conflicts.