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This report focuses on the sustainability of pastoralism in the lowlands of the Great Rift of East Africa and the Horn, arguing that pastoralism as a mode of production and a way of life has entered a phase of decline, often accompanied by conflict, drought, famine and flooding.The report details the historic evolution and chief characteristics of pastoralism, discussing the eras of colonialism and independence, livestock development, land tenure and conflict, as well as local and regional politics. It focuses on the main approaches for stakeholders in dealing with the decline of pastoralism, detailing the main areas that need to be addressed and strengthened if pastoralism is be sustainable in the long term:The human rights approach: in particular the UN Declaration that requires states not only to protect all human rights and freedoms without discrimination, but to promote them through appropriate policies and legislation. The author argues that international law is weak in a region where group rights are likely to be respected only when corresponding political power can be brought to bear on the state, which is not the case for the majority of pastoralist groupsThe environmental approach: argues that mobile livestock production is the only ecologically sustainable land use strategy for the fragile ecosystems of the region. Evidence of areas that have turned into dust-bowls when cultivation replaced livestock grazing supports this approach according to the reportThe economic approach: singled out as the most effective method, which relies on showing the contribution that mobile livestock production makes to local and national economies.In strengthening pastoralism throughout East Africa and the Horn, the report makes a number of recommendations to national governments and donor agencies.Recommendations to the governments of Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda include:governments should fulfil their obligations to implement in full international human rights treatiesensure that the rights of pastoralist women are protected in theory and practiseensure that recognised systems of land tenure includes the protection of the use of land by pastoralistsdesign electoral systems and other forms of participation that allow women to be equally represented in governmentPoverty Reduction Strategies Paper should recognise and address pastoralism concerns.Recommendations to donor agencies include:existing and new donor projects should be reviewed for any effect they may have on pastoralist way of life, particularly land usesupport new and existing mechanisms that fairly determine pastoralists right to land usefunding of education should be evaluated.[adapted from author]
