The Modern-state and Security in an East African Tri-national Border Zone

Olang SanaUniversity of Nairobi (UoN)

PhD Dissertation

Draft Chapter II

Background

Problem Statement Although the Kenya, Ugandan and South Sudan are about

half a century old, these states have not developed sufficiently to acquire the fledging characteristics of the nation-state as obtains in the West(Westphalian state.

(Securing Borders, Securing citizens, Internal Control/Maintaining law order, Monopoly of violence, sovereignty)

In the light of the foregoing, the formation and development of the nation-state as an actor in IR suggests that the process is incomplete

The Main Objective To explain the weakness of the African nation state to

gain effective control of territorial borders, convert the local population into definite citizens, establish effective governmental authority over the territory and its population; and to lay claim to sovereignty.

This explanation is sought through an assessment of the relative strength of the modern nation-state in the region and the features of the pre-existing traditional institutions and system s of authority including the underlying logic.

Research Questions

What constraints has the modern nation-state encountered in effort to supplant the pre-existing forms of organization and governmental authority?

To what extent has the nation-state formed up with specific reference to the classical, Westphalian features?

What has been the success of the nation-state project in underwriting both internal and cross-border security?

What is the impact of the interaction between the old and the new notions of security on the practical security experience in the study zone?

R/Q NO.1 posed as objectiveTo investigate the local communities’

construction and perception of security and how these notions have responded to both endogenous and exogenous social transformations

Hypothesis

Insecurity among the communities in the zone is due to incomplete subordination of the traditional security regime to the national and regional security architecture of the state.

Methodology

Primarily qualitative Archival materials Interviews using open-ended questionsFocus Group discussion Observation

Chapter II: Local Traditional Notions of Security and the advent of the Nation state

Local meaning of security Social, economic and political org and how it has

influenced construction/perception of securityThe influence of local meaning of security of the

development of local security agencies, institutions and defense mechanisms

How were colonial boundaries delimited?

Local meaning of security Turkana – security (ekisil) is a situation of certainty which only

obtains when the community is sure the enemy will not attack especially after a peace pact.

Toposa – security (ekisil) obtain when cattle from rival communities graze together, shared water points, free movement of cattle across frontiers, intermarriage and exchange of livestock

Karamojong – (Bakora) all the above, including when the livestock are healthy and the community enjoys safety from natural calamities such as cattle disease, drought.

Intra-tribal violence is culturally intolerable Who is to be secured? Community, livestock, territory Who is the enemy? Neighbor (with cattle) or police (disarmament)

Social, economic and political org

Kraal Elders (acquired)

Community is organised in territoryElders are the highest source of authority possess divine powers Elders declare war, peace, movement of livestockConvene morning parade and dispatch scouts Maintain order in and between kraals in the

neighborhood

Youth (acquired through initiation)

Youth become adult through initiation which symbolizes submission and service to community

Role of the youth involves grazing, defending community grazing zones, raiding neighbors for cattle to augment stock, to punish offenders

The community prepares the youth to be courageous, manly, and to be a skillful herdsman

It is the responsibility of a youth to procure livestock for bride wealth

http://turkanapeople.org/raid-at-nalemsekon-and-lorubae-kraals-in-turkana-north-constituency/

Diviner (ngikatamak) This institution is hereditary Offers spiritual leadershipBlesses raids and reveals likely outcome

of a raid; forecasts threats to livestock (desease, drought, etc)

Provides community with remedy Junior diviners (ngimoru) treat minor

ailments

Key community values community myths, tales, songs, and

dances extol bravery, courage, and skills in protecting livestock from raiders, reclaiming livestock after raid, and acquiring more through raid.

Protecting livestock is more valued than the life of the herder.

Establishment of colonial boundary in the Zone

Was inspired by the need to establish govt presence, Keep away imperial Abyssinia (Ethiopia) stamp authority and to stop inter-tribal violence

Boundary delimitation was done according to local administrators interests

The administrators lacked adequate information about history of pastoral communities; their notions of security; transhumant patterns

Kenya-Sudan boundary was altered 3 times (1914-1947) in an attempt to establish Turkana grazing limits and to retain the community in Kenya (Elastic Elemi Triangle)

Col. boundaries did not change traditional notions of security in any significant way.

Summary and Conclusion

Ecological and physical constraints have influenced the evolution of a parallel government among pastoral communities in the zone, replete with political institutions, enforceable body of laws norms), and policy implementation agencies.

Therefore, the East African nation-state faces formidable competition from pre-existing traditional institutions and systems of government that it is still unable to supplant/dislogde