Searching for Justice, Peace and Development – the Bishop Meets Clan Leaders
The Bishop of Tarime, the Rt Rev Dr Mwita Akiri held a meeting with 26 senior leaders of 13 major clans of the Wakuria in Tarime district to discuss justice, peace and development. The meeting took place on 23 July 2012 at the Diocesan Agricultural Centre located at Mogabiri village – some 10 kilometres east of Tarime. Apart from the clan leaders, the Bishop also invited all the clergy and senior elders of the Diocese of Tarime as well as the Regional Police Commander for Tarime/Rorya Special Police Zone.
The meeting discussed ways to reduce and eventually end incidents of land disputes, cattle theft, and the clashes between the police force as well as the frequent clashes between the unemployed youth whose parents have lost farm lands to North Mara gold mine, while getting unfair compensations from the mining company.
The Bishop acknowledged that the highland part of Tarime is densely populated, and land was becoming scarcer by the day. However, he insisted that in most cases, peace is disrupted by acts of provocation by few individuals who encroach on their neighbours’ land, and by those engaged in cross-border cattle theft. This could be avoided if the youth, community members and the security organs embrace the principles of justice for all.
The Bishop urged the clan leaders to ensure that they use their position and influence in society to educate the youth within their clans to refrain from being used by criminals. He equally asked the clan leaders to be sincere and honest when resolving land disputes.
Bishop Mwita also asked the Police Commander to ensure that the police handled cases justly so that they gain the confidence and the support of good citizens instead of alienating the communities by using excessive force. He also urged the police to develop a culture of responding quickly when cattle theft or land disputes occur and offer support to the clan and civic leaders and government officials on the ground.
The meeting made the following resolutions and statements in three main areas in order to maintain peace in Tarime district.
a) Land
We note that land disputes are one of the main causes of conflict in Tarime district. Therefore we resolve that:
i) Clan leaders shall respect and supervise land boundaries for each clan.
ii) Clan leaders of the clans involved in a conflict should meet as soon as possible to resolve a conflict before involving other clans. In the event the two leaders of the clans concerned fail to agree, then the full meeting of all clan leaders in the district shall be convened.
iii) Clan leaders shall continue to uphold justice when resolving land dispute and cattle theft issues.
b) Cattle Theft
We note that sometimes the leaders were slow to respond whenever cattle were stolen. We therefore resolve that:
i) If cattle theft occurs, leaders of the clans involved must meet as soon as possible to find a solution quickly.
ii) The youth involved in tracking the stolen cows must be given the support they need when they reach the place where cattle footprints end.
iii) If the stolen cows have been located in a particular village and have been recovered, they must be returned to the clan from where they were stolen.
iv) Clan leaders in the place where stolen cows have been located must name the culprits and hand them over to the police for prosecution in accordance with the law.
c) Facilitating Meetings of Clan Leaders
We note that clan leaders lack the necessary resources for their work for justice and peace in Tarime.
Therefore:
i) The Diocese and other peace-loving institutions and individuals should offer financial and logistical support to facilitate the meetings and work of the clan leaders in general.
ii) Meetings should be as frequent as possible in order to resolve issues and save Tarime district.
d) Government
We note that there is a need to strengthen the relationship between the government, clan leaders, peace-loving institutions and individuals at all levels in Tarime.
Therefore:
i) Government officials at divisional, ward and village levels should work with clan leaders to resolve land conflicts and issues of cattle theft as soon as possible.
ii) The Government should convene regular meetings between clan leaders on both sides of the two neighbouring countries, namely Tanzania and Kenya to discuss common security issues especially cattle theft.
iii) The district and regional Government leaders should support clan leaders in Tarime district and the communities in general whenever cattle are stolen and taken to the neighbouring country.