YETHO, LAFEY SUB COUNTY - MANDERA COUNTY

While Peace is Paramount all the time, The National Government must take action before its too late in Yetho/Yedo/Yado, Lafey Constituency Mandera County.  

Reports reaching MURULE ONLINE say, Yetho Borehole dug recently was damaged yesterday evening by unknown people further causing tensions between Murule and Garre Communities in Yetho, Lafey SubCounty, Mandera County.

The Damage is meant to seek sympathy and to draw attention to Yetho - a disputed piece of land in the border of Murule and Garre Community in Lafey Constituency. The Murule community Border line with Garre is along the Mandera -Rhamu-Wargadud -Elwak Road Lines and Yetho is in Alungu Ward of Lafey Constituency.

Since Some 10 years, after the clashes in Boruchache, Somalia between the Garre and Marehan Communities, Garre Politicians, From Elwak Constituency have been pushing to permanently settle GARRE  'refugees' who were evacuated from Boruhache, on the border of Somalia to Yetho in Lafey Constituency. The Murule Community has objected to their settlement and even clashes were witnessed in that area around 2007 and after Peace meetings, temporarily accepted them believing Garre will settle them in their land elsewhere after clashes are over. 

The Garre Politicians meanwhile against Murule Community advise, built them a two room school and recently a borehole.

The Refugees have now been advised to settle in Yetho, lafey Constituency permanently causing tensions with the Murule community who have insisted they leave. For the past 10 years under Murule - Gharri Peace Agreements done by the Mandera District Security Committee with the help of the Local Elders and Sheikhs, The Murule kept their cool.

In 2005 -2008 Umul Accords and Informations from The New Humanitarian updates, The Murule Community discussed about these issue of Garre refugees and the District Security Committees were informed about the complication these people added to the Lafey constituency, which is experiencing terrorism and banditry. Recently, some AlShabaab Terrorists destroyed Safaricom masts along these areas as well as had clashes with Security Forces including KDF (Kenya Defence Forces). The Murule accuse The Garre Community as having Links with AlShabaab and constantly work with them to make sure the Murule Community settlements have no development at all. Teachers, Health Workers and NGOs cannot operate their due to insecurity. 

Murule Elders and Politicians have always argued that, Since Garre Community have bigger chunk of land in Mandera County, Why would they not return their Somalia Refugees or give them temporary land in their settlements in say, Like Shimbir Fatuma, Banissa and Kotulo areas, areas which can handle these refugees.

For Garre to think their Refugees will settle permanently in Yetho, Part of Lafey Constituency in Mandera County is a dream to them as well as the County Administartion and the National Government. They just want to cause tensions everywhere.

In Wajir County, In Gurar and Bute areas, They had issues with Ajuuraan and their issues were resolved after Garre were moved from those areas.

In Marsabit County, They had issues with Borana Community and tensions always rise.

In Mandera County, Along the Rhamu Banissa Ashabito Areas, They have clashes with the Degodia Community.

So, For how long will the Garre Community know how to live with the rest of the people for Peace and Security?

Garre Community Must Know how to Live peacefully with other clans in all Counties.  Since Colonial times, they cause conflicts everywhere.

YETHO 2020 AGREEMENT JOINT COMMUNIQUE AT MANDERA GRANADA HOTEL

JOINT COMMUNIQUE ON YADO/YATHO DISPUTE ISSUED ON 15th AUGUST 2020 AT GRANADA HOTEL, MANDERA MUNICIPALITY.

After four days of marathon engagement between elders and leaders of the Garre and Murulle Communities, a lot of ground has been covered and consensus built on peace and cohesion within Mandera County.

A-21-member committee was selected comprising of representatives from both clans, county Government and National Cohesion and Integration Commission officials to deliberate on the contentious issues. We acknowledge and appreciate the presence and contributions of elected leaders-our MPs and MCAs as well former MPs who dedicated their time to try and broker peace during the negotiations.

After the stakeholders consultations which included full time participation of National Government through the Mandera County Commissioner Mr. Onesmus Kyatha and the County Security committee, a total of nine key issues were isolated out which consensus was reached on seven matters. However, two issues remain unresolved.

The committee agreed on the following by consensus:

1. Contestation over electoral and administrative boundaries

- Discussions on the issue of clan boundaries raised by Murulle community and contested by Garre community should be finalized by June 2021.

- Issues regarding contestations over electoral and administrative boundaries should be resolved as envisaged in Umul and related accords.

2. Previous agreements which were not honoured-Umul and related accords

- It was resolved that full implementation of 2005-2008 Umul and related accords should commence with immediate effect.

3. Contestation over pasture, water and grazing lands

- This issue was isolated and it was agreed that it should be resolved as per Umul and related accords.

4. On Unresolved grievances from past conflicts/Incidents

The teams agreed that elders convene to confirm and verify all incidents and resolve them using Umul and related peace accords and in line with Somali customary laws.

5. Incitement on social media and other platforms

The National Government arm on Cohesion, The NCIC (National Cohesion and Integration Commission) should arrest and charge any person peddling inciting messages with immediate effect. Such persons must face the full force of the law.

6. Government laxity in apprehending criminals

Perpetrators of conflict must be arrested and dealt with accordingly in a court of law.

7. Presence of armed militia from both clan

The clan elders will take full responsibility for the disbandment of any existing clan militia. Immediate cessation of all hostilities should commence with immediate effect. The meeting despite making great progress, failed to reach consensus on the following two issues:

8. Creation of new settlements, Locations and enclosures in disputed areas

9. Development programmes in contested areas that trigger inter clan conflict.

The government resolves that the following guidance should be implemented going forward in the interest of peace and cohesion:

a) That the 14 member negotiation team together with two religious leaders should go to the conflict areas to preach peace and cohesion.

b) That the two communities should propose names of 5-7 neutral arbiters to mediate them further on the contentious issues.

c) That the mediators should commence the process as soon as possible and must be completed within the next two months Maximum

d) The national government and county government should invite all the stakeholders to help in the identification of the constituency boundary and both levels of government to demarcate the boundary to avoid any future dispute.

e) That there should be no further development in Yado, also called Yetho or Yedho.

f) Government to disband all armed groups within the conflict areas and take any other measure necessary to contain the situation.

Ends.