Navigating Insecurity at the Crest of a Crisis: Collaborative Approaches to Address Challenges along the Shared Borders of Kenya, Uganda, and South Sudan

Abstract

Conflicts and a pervasive sense of insecurity affect the borders shared by Kenya, Uganda, and SouthSudan. These issues are primarily driven by cattle rustling and the widespread availability of small arms. The challenging landscape offers refuge to rebels and intensifies competition for limited resources among local communities, governments, and multinational interests. This article seeks to explore the following key questions: What are the root causes of the insecurity in this region? Why are conflicts mainly concentrated along the shared borders? How have individual governments addressed these conflicts, and to what extent have their efforts been successful? What roles have the East African Community (EAC), the African Union (AU), the United Nations (UN), and the donor community played in conflict management and resolution? The study utilised conflict theory to examine the insecurity question to unearth the underlying causes, recommendations, and conclusions.