Mandera peace centre launched to end conflict and boost security

Mandera Governor Ali Roba has said the regional peace, cohesion and heritage centre will entrench peace and security.

The governor spoke during the official launch of the centre on Tuesday where he was the chief guest.

Roba said the centre will help cross-border communities in Ethiopia and Somalia along side Kenyans living along the two borders.

“We are grateful to the Almighty to see a project of this magnitude being commissioned in a land we donated,” he said.

Roba said elders from Banisa have championed community peace in a sustainable manner.

He said peace has been sustained in the county through the input of elders even in election times when tensions rise.

The governor thanked the inter-peace for equally playing a critical role in ensuring conflicts are resolved amicable with minimal violence and for funding the construction of the center.

“We must all advocate for peaceful coexistence in our communities and observe the true spirit of neighbourliness.

"A peaceful and secure environment is critical to every society since it affects all aspects of economic and social development in a country,” he said.

Roba said the county security team has been swiftly responding to outbreak of conflicts while working with leaders and communities to forestall sporadic violence.

“I have always said that it is easy to start a fight but difficult to end it. I have seen many killings of women, men, children and youth.

"However, with the help of the security apparatus, the clergy, elders, fellow leaders and the residents we managed to bring sanity and calm.

"We hope and pray that we never witness any ugly scenes. At the end of the day, we are all brother and sisters who belong to the same God," Roba said.

County commissioner Onesmus Kyatha said the center will be a critical facility for fostering cross border dialogues towards building peace.

He urged citizens from the three countries to fully support it as it was for their own good.

He said the county security team will remain pro active in engaging the residents and those from across to make sure that peace and tranquility prevails at all times.

“As a county we can ill afford to go back to that painful state of human suffering. The people of Mandera should know too well the price of conflict,”Kyatha said.

Inter Peace regional director Theo Hollander paid tribute to the Mandera government for offering land to build the facility.

He said the kind gesture shows how the county is committed in promoting peace not only in the county but across the region.

Hollander said the center will be crucial in conflict resolution and extending good relations between cross border communities.

After years of clan conflicts which started in 2013 and went on for two years, the communities resolved to build mutual trust and harmoniously co-exist and share natural resources. 

The peace was not however achieved easily as several peace meetings between the worrying clans had to be held.

The meetings culminated in the signing of peace accords which would have communities that breach the same, paying a hefty price.

(Edited by Bilha Makokha)