Indigenous Coping Mechanisms and Conflict Management in Karamoja, Uganda

Marlieke Kieboom MA candidate

International Studies: Complex Emergencies

Presentation

• Introduction : Karamoja in distress• Traditional (positive) coping strategies• Problems• Modern (negative) coping strategies• Conflict management initiatives• Conclusion

Introduction: Karamoja in distress

• Where is Karamoja?• Which problems occur?• Why address Karamoja?

Introduction: Karamoja in distress

• Where is Karamoja?• Which problems

occur?• Why address

Karamoja?

Source: UN OCHA 2008

Traditional (positive) Coping Strategies

• Definition “adaptation” “Adaptation to climate change refers to adjustment made in natural or human

systems in response to actual or expected climate stimuli or their effects in order to moderate harm or make use of beneficial opportunities.” (Orindi and Eriksen 2005)

• Definition “livelihood” “Livelihood comprises the capabilities, assets (including both material and

social resources) and activities required for a means of living. It is considered sustainable when it can cope with and recover from stresses and shocks, and maintain or enhance its capabilities and assets both now and in the future, while

not undermining the natural resource base. (UNEP 2009: 7)

Traditional (positive) Coping Strategies

• Mobility / dual settlement• Insurance by splitting stock• Indigenous knowledge of nature • Traditional elders system • Cattle raiding• Mixed crops• Spiritual life

Traditional (positive) Coping Strategies

Problems in Karamoja

• Food security• Water security• Breakdown of traditional authority • Political and economic marginalization • Physical insecurity (small arms)

Problems in Karamoja

Problems in Karamoja

“ In the past there was enough rain. Whenever it rained the fields would yield all kinds of fruit and our mother would store lots of food in our granaries. We used to have plenty of boiled sorghum and porridge to eat and plenty of milk to drink. But now things are different. Cows are dying. The rains have disappeared. And when it rains these days, it just drizzles. The drizzle does not enable the sorghum to grow properly. The climate is unpredictable now. And when it does rain, it can be destructive; it sometimes causes bad floods, which then destroy our crops, just like last year. The drinking water that we used to fetch from the riverbeds can no longer be found. The riverbeds have dried up as well. Only hard rock is found beneath them. There is a lot of thirst; even the few livestock we own have so little water. I lament, ‘what can I do to address this thirst?’. Even if you have food to cook, you still need water to do the cooking. What can I do? There aren’t enough words to express the pain.”

Karimojong woman - Oxfam Report Climate Change, 2008: 19

Modern (negative) Coping Strategies

• Skip meal• Deforestation• School drop out• Intensified & commercialized cattle raiding• Banditry• Out-migration

Vicious downward spiral

• shock >>

• negative coping >>

• increased vulnerability to future shocks (i.e. reduced access to basic commodities such as food, health care and investments in livelihoods) >>

• new shock

Conflict Management Initiatives: Sustainable future for Karamoja?

• NGO’s 1. Conflict sensitive development / local participatory process2. Food provision

• Government1. Disarmament (failure)

2. Mobility restriction (failure)3. Disarmament and development

• Researchers1. Local conflict management processes

2. Local resource management3. Gender

General policy recommendations

• Strengthen existing strategies• Invest in technical solutions• Encourage mobility• Involve the Karimojong, especially elders• Reduction of insecurity and• Development, economic growth• Develop new conflict solving mechanisms

Dilemma’s

• Local knowledge: what is it, who owns it?• Local power balance: local power holders, and

gendered problem

Conclusion

• “Integrating environment and natural resources into peace building is no longer an option – it is a security imperative” (UNEP 2009)

• Karimojong need alternative livelihood systems for the youth, the bandit, the herder, the family to secure livelihoods and prevent conflict.

• Sustainable livelihood strategies for a sustainable and secure future for the Karimojong.

Thank You