Peter Kisopia told IRIN today that local communities regard access to modern weapons as their security insurance. Rustling is endemic in the arid triangle of land wedged between Uganda, Kenya and Sudan, deepening poverty in an already under-developed region. The threat of raids from across the Ugandan and Sudanese borders by armed Karamajong and Toposa warriors respectively has depopulated the border regions. The resulting enmity encouraged by the indiscriminate violence has also halted traditional cross-border trading, and keeps tensions simmering. There is an important local dimension to the instability, Kisopia added.
Cattle represent food security and wealth in traditional terms.
But a new element to the conflict is the commercialisation of rustling. Raids are now being encouraged by cattle traders linked to the Nairobi market, according to Kisopia. Relief flights are to commence today to deliver food, medicine and other supplies to people threatened by the combined effects of drought and insecurity, an OLS statement said. Ghazal this month, and to 180 countrywide. All but five requested locations were approved - the highest number of approved locations since June 1997.