Nature of Cross-Border Conflicts between the Communities at the Kenya and Ethiopia Border

Cross-border conflicts have more often than not culminated into full-fledged wars between states globally. Conflict-affected and fragile states are experiencing repeated and interlinked violence that crosses borders. In Africa, cross-border conflicts have been dynamic in nature being orchestrated by a number of factors including inadequate natural resources, territorial disputes, and shared resources among others. The cross-border of Kenya and Ethiopia is no exception. It has been affected by seasonal patterns of drought and famine, seasonal movements of armed pastoralists and livestock across the border. Moreover, Kenya-Ethiopia border has experienced a continuing degradation of the environment leading to food insecurity and increased competition for scarce resources mainly water and pasture. These phenomena have more often than not resulted in cross-border conflicts among communities living along the border of Kenya and Ethiopia. The research objective of the study was to examine the nature of conflicts between the communities at the Kenya and Ethiopia border. This research paper is underpinned by power theory.