PREAMBLE
A. peace meeting between the Degodia and Gare •leaders/elders was held at Red Cross South C that lasted for one week, starting June 29th to July 5th 2014. The aim of the meeting was to exhaustively discuss issues causing conflict between the two communities and come up with sustainable solutions. The two communities agreed to engage each other directly. The meeting was moderated by the chairpersons of the respective Council of Elders, assisted by the two chairs of the Parliament caucuses from the two counties. In participation were the two governors, all members of parliament and a team of 40 elders from each of the two communities.
After an in-depth discussion on pertinent issues straining peace and coexistence between the two communities in the two counties, it was resolved that;
RESOLUTION
(Red Court Accord No. 2)
COMMUNITY AND COUNTY GOVT ROLE AND ESPONSIBILITIES
1. There should be an immediate Ceasefire
a. All parties agree to this Ceasefire.
b. All roads to be opened immediately, free movement of persons and goods be guaranteed by the respective communities’
c. Any violation to be dealt with firmly through traditional means and through the Kenyan law
2. The following to be undertaken by Wajir County;
a. Wajir county government is to appoint the Gare community to County positions (jobs) in Wajir and give affirmative action going forward. The parties agree that the Gare community be included in Wajir county resource sharing
b. Wajir Town (Wagberi) to be rebuilt and IDPs Immediately resettled
c. Wagberi neighborhood to get all-inclusive National Police Reserve (NPR) personnel where Gare community is represented.
d. An Administration Police (AP) post to be established at LMD (Wagberi)
e. Gare community should fie given land ownership documents in Wagberi for their plots
f. Gare community to be given Assistant Chief for Wagberi and Ward Administrator in Wajir County.
3. Gunana to be rebuilt and IDPs immediately resettled
4: Disputed boundary in Tarbaj and Mandera south around Burmayo to be verified by the two governors and area MPs with the support of National Government.
5. 'Both communities have denounced alleged existence of Militias’, online and social media groupings that promote expansionist ideas. The Government to investigate such allegations.
6. Political leaders from both Counties should not interfere in the internal affairs of either County in a manner that; undermines the other.
7. Both Communities raised the contentious political representation of Mandera North. .
a. It was resolved the issue be revisited at an opportune time by the leadership of the two communities.
b. Degodia Community has accepted the request of Gare Community that the Mandera North 'Petition be withdrawn and Modalities of withdrawal be worked out by a technical team led by the two COE chairmen.
8. Redeployment of officers reflective of community interest -
a. Mandera County Government to take up the issue and deal with it specifically in Mandera North sub-county and
b. equitable resource sharing in Mandera County.
9. To stop the proliferation of new settlements in Mandera North it was resolved that
a. both communities are integrated only in existing settlements.
b. Mandera County Government to take stock of existing settlements.
10. All IDPs:
a. to be accepted back to their homes without any conditions and resettled immediately by National government, respective. County Governments with support of Humanitarian agencies. .
b. Conducive environment to be created for lDPs return, to give confidence to the displaced communities, in the initial phase the County Government should post a Degodia officer to Takaba.:
c. In phase 2 of this process, we explore deployment/employment of chiefs where it will strengthen integration -Technicalities will be worked out by Joint Committee.
11. Gare community to pay Ksh.! Million as goodwill and the Money to be handed over to Red Cross to assist IDPs in the two Counties
NATIONAL GOVERNMENT ROLE/RESPONSIBILITY
1. National Government should provide enough security to all returning IDPs in both counties
2. National Government should help in the resettlement of IDPs by providing Le. - Shelter, food and non-food items, and reconstruction of property and livelihoods
3. Demand compliance with the Internally Displaced Persons Act 2012 - The prevention, protection and assistance of internally displaced persons and affected Communities.
4. Establish a coordination committee that will ensure the expeditious resettlement of ID Ps in the two counties’
5. Both national and county government to carry out the assessment of IDP needs in collaboration with Red Cross
6. Demand the 'opening up the region by completing the tarmacking of Garissa-Mandera Road
7. Increase mobile network coverage in the conflict hot spots to enhance security
8. National Government underwrites this resolution to ensure successful Implementation
In conclusion, the peace meeting has adequately and successfully addressed fundamental issues that were hampering past peace efforts. The two communities agree and pray that total commitment to this resolution (Red Court Accord No.2) will deliver a sustainable Peace, real integration, cohesion and equitable resource sharing between the two Communities. The leaders of both communities will take an active lead role in the" Expeditious implementation of the resolutions.
The national government should execute its obligations under the constitution to protect the lives and. property of its citizens. Both communities request the National Government to recognize this resolution as binding and acknowledge it as a formal peace document (For purpose: of documentation and citation referred to as Red Court Accord No.2).