Implications of border conflict on economic security, a case of Pogee and Ngomoromo border, northern Uganda

Abstract

The East African Community member states have been highly exposed to interstate border conflicts over years, and this has made the border communities subjected to risk of border related violence. Much as the government and the communities through Non-Governmental Organization had some resolutions to resolve this border conflict, border conflict continue to emerge between Pogee and Ngomromo border and this has caused the government the significant negative impacts on economic and human security. The researcher observed that both communities have varying claim over the tis border. The communities in Pogee claimed that their border with Lukung Sub County in Lamwo is Limur 20 Kilometer from Pogee and the communities in Ngomoromo had their claim that Ngomromo is the true border between them and the Pogee People of Pajok Payam 5 Kilometer from Pogee border Point. This then propelled questions on what causes border Conflict between Pogee and Ngomoromo in Northern Uganda? How effective are the strategies that have been in place to limit border conflict between Pogee and Ngomoromo? To what extend has the border conflict between Pogee and Ngomoromo affected Economic and Human Security? What are the challenges encountered in ensuring economic security amidst border conflict? Answering these questions informed the findings in this research. This research is founded on conflict theory according to Max Webber’s (1864-1920). Conflict theory posits that there are three main sources of conflict: economic, social, and political. Economic conflict arises when people compete for scarce resources and believed that economic realm was the most important source of conflict, and this formed the bases of the argument in this research. To explore on the implications of border conflict on economic security, quantitive and qualitative research approaches were used to examine the implications of border conflict on economic and human security, historical relations of the two communities by analyzing the data collected. Cultural differences contribute to border conflicts but other drivers to border conflict including ethnic, political claim over areas existing in other country’s territory because of its potential in natural resources and historical reasons.