AU BORDER PROGRAMME
From Border to Bridges
At a Glance
Goal 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
Aspiration 2: An integrated continent, politically united, based on the ideals of Pan-Africanism and the vision of Africa’s Renaissance
Aspires to have “world class integrative infrastructure that criss-crosses the continent” and “a continent of seamless borders, and management of cross-border resources through dialogue”.
Most African borders were drawn during colonial times. Upon decolonisation, most independent African states kept those borders to prevent new conflicts arising from a disputed border revision. However, these borders were often ill-defined - only a third of African borders are clearly delimited and demarcated - and unclear borders fuel conflict over natural resources, criminality, and terrorist movements, among others. The African Union Border Programme (AUBP) was established in 2007 to address these problems and to assist African countries in delimitating (finding an agreement on the exact course of the border) and demarcating (making the borders visible on the field, for example, by installing border pillars) borders. Under the motto “From Barriers to Bridges” , the AUBP strives, as underlined in the Niamey Convention of 2014 , to promote peace, security and stability through crossborder cooperation and capacity building. The African Union committed to a progressive border agenda as borders can become catalyst not only for peace, stability and resilience but also for socio-economic growth and regional integration in Africa.
PAPS Commissioner: Amb. Bankole Adeoye, Nigeria (elected in February 2021)
CMD - Director: Dr. Sarjoh Bah
@AUC_PAPS Hashtags: #AUBP #NIAMEYCONVENTION #AUPSC #COHA #AGA #APSA #silencingtheguns #NeTT4Peace
"I urge the RECs, Member States and all relevant stakeholders to redouble their commitment to effective border governance which will serve as a lever and driver for the rapid achievement of the AfCFTA objectives, contributing to the transformation of the Continent." Amb. Bankole
About
what we do
African Union sees borders as bridges for peace, prosperity and integration:- Borders are, in the spirit of AUBP, understood as instruments to promote peace, security, stability and as zones of facilitation of regional integration and sustainable development.
- They are nodes which connect States’ public action in the security, economic, commercial, infrastructural, environmental, and social affairs sectors.
- The Constitutive Act of the African Union and Agenda 2063 form the bedrock our commitment to the vision of a peaceful, integrated, prosperous Africa.
How we do
The AUBP builds promotes collaboration and cross-border cooperation to unite and prosper Africa's borders:- The African Union, Regional Economic Communities and AU Member States work in close collaboration and coordination to support the vision of a “united and integrated Africa with peaceful, open and prosperous borders”.
- We survey border lines, and construct border pillars, sensitize border communities to ensure boundaries are visible and effectively managed.
- We strengthen institutions and joint mechanisms so that they have the skills and competences to better define and govern their borders and to foster cross-border cooperation between AU Member States, regions, municipalities and local communities.
- The AUBP is implemented on several levels: national, regional and continental. The responsibility of each of these levels is determined on the basis of the principles of subsidiarity and complementarity and the respect of the sovereignty of States.
why we do
AUBP strengthens conflict prevention, fosters integration and stability through cross-border cooperation:- The African Union Border Programme was established in 2007 as part of African Union’s efforts to strengthen the structural conflict prevention efforts of its Member States.
- The AUBP promotes a new form of pragmatic border governance, aimed at fostering peace, security, and stability, but also to facilitate the integration process and sustainable development in Africa.
- Consequently, the Programme supports African Union Members States with regards to the delimitation and demarcation of their inter-state borders, promotion of cross-border cooperation, and capacity building.
- In addition, the AUBP offers a platform for the negotiated resolution of border disputes and the promotion of regional and continental integration through cross border cooperation.
The African Border Governance Strategy
In March 2021, the AUC launched a Continental Strategy for Better Integrated Border Governance . The strategy is intended to enhance peace and security initiatives, bilateral cooperation, as well as borderland development between and among neighbouring countries. It marks an important milestone in the implementation of the African Union Border Programme (AUBP). The African Border Governance Strategy serves as a guiding framework for the coordination of border policies at the continental, regional and national levels to create greater coherence. The Strategy provides guidelines for Member States to enable them to align their national border governance policies with the relevant provisions and recommendations of the AU on the matter. The specificities of the Member States and the respect of their international obligations obviously preside and frame this alignment. Adoption of the border strategy The African Union Strategy for Better Integrated Border Governance has been developed in a participatory manner. At different stages of the development process, the AUC interacted with Member States, in particular national experts on border issues and African Ministers in Charge of Borders. RECs, RMs and different Departments of the AUC commented and revised the draft strategy document. The Specialized Technical Committee on Defence, Safety and Security (STC DSS) adopted the consolidated version of the Strategy during its Ordinary Meeting held in Cairo (Egypt) on December 19, 2019.
In its 36th Ordinary Session held from February 06 to 07, 2020 in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), the Executive Council (EC) took note of the Declaration adopted by the STCDSS on December 19, 2019 and recommended it to the Assembly of the AU for adoption (EX.CL/Dec.1074 (XXXVI)). The Declaration was adopted by the 33rd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Union , held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 9-10 February 2020 (Assembly/AU/Decl.754 (XXXIII)). Principles relating to border governance
- Principle of the respect of borders existing upon achievement of national independence. Source: Charter of the OAU, Resolution AHG/Res.16 (I), Art 4. Constitutive Act of the AU
- Principle of negotiated settlement of border disputes. Source: CM/Res.1069 (XLIV)
- Commitment to pursue border delimitation and demarcation. Sources: Memorandum of Understanding on Security, Stability, Development and Cooperation in Africa AHG/Dec. 175 (XXXVIII)
- Commitment to pursue structural prevention of conflicts and establishment of the African Union Border Programme. Source: Assembly/AU/ Dec.145 (VIII)
- Need to put in place a new form of pragmatic border management. Source: Declarations of the African Union Border Programme and its Implementation Modalities (2007, 2010, 2014, 2016)
The Strategy is based on the following five pillars that serve as anchors to its vision and mission:
Area of focus
African Unions Border Agenda Sees Borders as Assets for Cooperation and Integration The OAU, later the AU, adopted, early on, a progressive border agenda that recognized the potential of borders – the potential to contribute to peace, security, integration, and sustainable development across the continent. The OAU/AU adopted a number of legal instruments and frameworks to reverse the mindset which considers borders as instigators of conflict rather than as opportunities for cooperation and integration. In 2007, the positive perception of borders was crystalized with the adoption of the African Union Border Programme (AUBP). The Programme’s establishment signalled a paradigm shift towards an understanding of Africa’s inter-state borders as assets for anchoring public policies at continental, regional and national levels. Following the vision of an integrated Africa with the aim of having borders which serve as bridges rather than barriers, cross border cooperation has become a fundamental area of interest for the African Union.
The African Union Border Programme aims at enhancing the skills and competences of AU Member States in various border governance areas. Its mission is to enable the African Union Commission (AUC), Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and Member States (MSs) to access necessary information, knowledge, skills, and competences for effective implementation of the AU Border Programme and Border Governance Strategies at different levels (continental, regional, national, local). This entails envisioning a continent with well-informed border management decision makers, technicians, and practitioners possessing theoretical and practical knowledge, as well as organizational and operational skills in different domains of border governance. The objective of capacity building by the AU Border Programme is: • to promote and develop research and dissemination of knowledge on border related issues to decision makers and border professionals; • to set up adaptable training and research curricula on border issues for decision makers and border professionals; • to provide decision makers and border professionals with online access to legal/ technical documents on boundaries and relevant information on African interstate borders. Capacity building is needs strong collaboration with stakeholders active in border governance. The AU Border Program actively seeks partnership within departments of AUC, RECs, national and private universities, research and training institutes and centres, think tanks, networks of experts, research associations, research and documentation structures, etc. Through this collaboration, the academic community will have a strong and consistent involvement in achieving the objectives of the AUBP. It is through research and training that border governance can become sustainable by adapting to evolving environments. Human resources required for border governance will be regularly trained. Capacity building areas include delimitation, demarcation, institutional organization, treaty convention drafting, cross border cooperation, prevention, management and settlement of border disputes, border control and security and other issues such as migration, transhumance, and transboundary natural resources management, etc. The AU border programme publishes, and updates guidebooks that are relevant for technocrats and practitioners alike. The program also organizes continental, regional, and national conferences and trainings on border governance to promote the capacities of member states of the African Union. Many of the resources can be found below.
Following the vision of an integrated Africa with the aim of having borders which serve as bridges rather than barriers, cross border cooperation has become a fundamental area of interest for the African Union. The 23rd ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union, held in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, from 26th to 27th June 2014, adopted the African Union Convention on Cross- Border Cooperation, known as the Niamey Convention. The convention constitutes the first continental legal framework for cross-border cooperation and aims for: • Promotion of cross-border cooperation at local, sub regional and regional levels • Facilitation of delimitation, demarcation and reaffirmation of interstate boundaries, in conformity with mechanisms agreed upon by the parties concerned • Facilitation of the peaceful resolution of border disputes, • Ensuring efficient and effective integrated border management, • Transformation of border areas into catalysts for growth, socio-economic and political integration of the continent; and • Promotion of peace and stability through conflict prevention and continental integration for strengthened unity The legal framework put in place by the Niamey convention serves as a tool for formalizing cooperation between countries, making it possible to accelerate the process of regional and continental integration and to resolve border disputes peacefully. Good Case Practices on CBC A good practice is a successful and replicable process or methodology that has achieved its objectives and can be recommended as a model. To determine whether a practice is a good practice, it should be effective, technically feasible, inherently participatory, and replicable and adaptable. The AUBP collects good practices on cross-border cooperation (CBC), which aims to promote and strengthen good-neighborly relations between border populations, territorial communities, and administrations. Another criterion for a good practice on CBC is that it reduces the barriers to cross-border cooperation by encouraging good neighborliness and strengthening border governance.
Through diverse and complementary interventions, border governance has become increasingly central thanks to the policies, strategies and initiatives adopted by the AU and the RECs and their implementation by Member States and non-state actors. This section provides highlights what is going on the ground within the framework of the AUBP. It shows and inform on various topics such as border policies, development and signing of boundary related Treaties and border agreements, Creation and functioning of Border Commissions, delimitation and demarcation, Awareness rising and sensitization activities, coordination, and complementarity Measures between the different levels of Intervention (continental, Regional and National).
Major Milestones
Footprint of Success
1964
- Cairo Resolution on Border Disputes between African States (Resolution AHG/Res (16)1)
1981
- African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights
1986
- Resolution CM/Res.1069 (XLIV) on Principle of Negotiated Settlement of Border Disputes
1991
- Abuja Treaty
2002
- Constitutive Act of the African Union
2003
- Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa
2007
- Declaration on the decision of the 8th Ordi- nary Session encouraging the Commission to pursue efforts towards structural prevention of conflicts, through implementation of AUBP
2009
- Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa and the AU Gender Policy
2010
- Adoption of the Declaration on the AUBP
- 2nd Declaration on the African Union Border Programme and its Implementation Modalities
2011
- The Policy Framework for Pastoralism in Africa
2012
- The 3rd Ministerial Conference, in May 2012, culminated in the African Union Convention on Cross-Border Cooperation (EX.CL/726(XXI)), which serves as a guideline for the cooperation and integration at local, sub-regional and regional levels.
2014
- In June 2014, the 23rd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union, in Malabo, adopted the African Union Convention on Cross Border Cooperation. The Convention is now open for signature and ratification by the Member States and endorsement by the RECs.
2020
- Strategy for a Better Integrated Border Governance
2011
- AUBP facilitated the signature of maritime delimitation agreements between the Union of the Comoros, the Republic of Mozambique, and United Republic of Tanzania.
2012
- Following the demarcation of the com- mon boundary between the Republic of Burkina Faso and the Republic of Mali, the Programme supported the installation of a cross border health center shared between the villages of Ouarokoy (Burkina Faso) and Wanian (Mali)
2015
- AUBP has accompanied the Republic of Botswana and the Republic of Namibia in the delimitation of their common boundary, which culminated in the signature of a boundary treaty in 2018.
2016-2017
- AUBP supported the Republic of Malawi and the Republic of Mozambique in the delimitation of Lake Malawi/Lake Nyassa.
- In March 2021, the AUC launched a Continental Strategy for Better Integrated Border Governance.
- In furtherance of its mandate in the areas of delimitation and demarcation , the AUBP facilitated series of meetings between relevant Member States.
- Two meetings of the Joint Border Commission (JBC) of South Sudan and Sudan, including, a meeting between JBC and the Joint Political Security Mechanism (JPSM) to implement the next phase of the Boundary Issues Agreement.
- AUBP also facilitated a Joint Technical Committee (JTC) meeting between Burundi, DRC, Tanzania, and Zambia in October 2021 to develop a report detailing the status of the reaffirmation exercise, including the budget, the MoU, and work plan.
- A JTC meeting between Zimbabwe and Zambia was also held in December to support the preparation of a sensitization strategy for the upcoming reaffirmation exercises.
- A JTC meeting between Uganda and South Sudan, and a Tripartite Technical Boundary Committee meeting between Kenya, South Sudan, and Uganda took place from 13 to 17 December 2021.
- The Programme undertook a needs assessment and capacity building mission to identify the capacity gaps to facilitate effective support to Sierra Leone in the delimitation, demarcation, and maintenance of its international boundaries.
- Other knowledge products and guidelines produced by the programme include:
- The seventh (7th) technical guidebook on river boundaries to assist practitioners in the delimitation of river boundaries and management of Transboundary Rivers;
- Strategy to Engage Borderlands CSOs in Africa with the support and collaboration of Life & Peace Institute.
- On the AU Border Governance Strategy (AUBGS), two joint sensitization workshops between AUBP and ECOWAS (9-10 November 2021) and AUBP-EAC (15-16 November 2021) held to sensitize the relevant RECs and Member States on the AU Strategy for Better Integrated Border Governance and define a basis for coordinating the implementation of the AUBGS and existing regional border related strategies.
- In celebration of Africa Border Day on 7 June , a virtual campaign held throughout the month of June. Three short, animated videos on the theme "Arts, Culture and Heritage: Levers for Building the Africa We Want" from the different regions across the continent were developed and disseminated. Each video illustrated a cultural practice, heritage, or art shared across the boundaries of two or more Member States or a cultural cross border cooperation initiative. On its part, the PSC at its 1024th meeting held at ministerial level on 19 August 2021, considered the Implementation of Aspects of Peace and Security related to Border Governance in Africa. Council encouraged Member States to adopt and implement cross-border cooperation programs, including joint management of transboundary resources, One-Stop Border Posts (OSBPs), towards developing their borderlands as well as facilitating the free movement of persons, goods and services.
- Through the AU Border Programme, the Commission, continued its support to Member States in the areas of delimitation/demarcation/reaffirmation of inter-state boundaries , the promotion of cross-border cooperation, and the strengthening of capacities of border stakeholders. In this regard, the AUBP facilitated the convening of the Joint Technical Committee (JTC) of the Riparian States of Lake Tanganyika (Burundi, DRC, Tanzania, and Zambia) in September 2022. The JTC sought to jointly digitalize Lake Tanganyika shoreline for the eventual determination of a median line.
- On the AU Border Governance Strategy (AUBGS) , the AUC held its 3rd regional sensitization on the AU Border Governance Strategy, in April 2022, in Kinshasa (DRC). This allowed the Commission and ECCAS to sensitize Member States on AUBGS, facilitate the exchange of information, share best practices, and adopt recommendations that will enable the effective and coordinated implementation of AUBGS. Each of the sensitization processes enabled the Programme to develop, with the RECs concerned, action plans to support the implementation of AUBGS.
- In celebration of African Border Day (ABD) on 7 June , the AUBP and ECCAS celebrated the 12th Day in the border areas of Cameroon- Gabon - Equatorial Guinea (MEYO KYE/ KEYO OSSI), from 23 - 24 June 2022, under the theme "Economic and Social Development of Borderlands through the Ratification and Implementation of the AU Convention on Cross Border Cooperation". The 12th ABD celebration enhanced the visibility of the AU Border Programme within the region. It also emphasised the role of borders and border areas in promoting peace, security, and development.
- In addition, the National Border Commission of Cote d'Ivoire (CNFCI) organized an international forum on borders, the Abidjan Border Forum , in October 2022, under the theme "Borders and collective Security: for the sustainable development of border areas". Participants unanimously decided to hold the Forum every two years in Abidjan.
- On its part, the 14th Ordinary Meeting of the Specialized Technical Committee on Defense, Safety and Security (STCDSS) , was held from 09 to 10 May 2022 in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia). It reiterated the call for Member States to extend the deadline for the demarcation of inter-state African boundaries to 2027 and endorsed the need for a dedicated capacity and required resources for the AU Border Programme within the DPAPS.
- Through the AU Border Programme (AUBP), the Commission continued
its support to Member States in the areas of delimitation/demarcation/reaffirmation of inter-state boundaries ,
the promotion of cross-border cooperation, and strengthening the capacities of border stakeholders.
- In this regard, the AUBP, in collaboration with the EAC, facilitated the organization of a confidence-building peace caravan from 28 June to 07 July 2023 . The Caravan sought to foster peaceful coexistence, strengthen neighbourly relations, and promote the amicable resolution of disputes among communities in Kenya, South Sudan, and Uganda.
- In addition, the Programme completed its second and third regional studies- Inter-state Boundary and Territorial Disputes in Southern Africa and Border and Territorial Disputes in the ECCAS Region. Each study sought to understand the status of border and territorial disputes underway in the regions and to shed light on actions for preventing, managing, and resolving disputes by the Commission and the relevant AU organs.
- In commemorating African Border Day (ABD) on 7 June , the AUBP, in collaboration with Malawi and Zambia, marked the 13th African Border Day in Chipata, Zambia, from 19 to 20 July 2023. The day was celebrated under the AU theme of the year, "Acceleration of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)", and attended by representatives from the African Union, Zambia, Malawi, and other affiliated organizations.
- The 13th celebration illustrated the crucial role of cross-border cooperation in successfully implementing the AfCFTA. A notable highlight of the celebration was the visit to the Mwami One Stop Border Post (OSBP), where participants could explore the challenges and benefits of such a facility. The need to adopt inclusive strategies to heighten public awareness on the benefits of cross border cooperation, workshops, media campaigns, and educational programs was emphasized. These insights serve as a blueprint for bolstering the impact of the AUBP's African subsequent endeavors.
- The Commission organized a Strategic Review Workshop on the AUBP from 25 to 27 October 2023 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia . The workshop served as a platform through which experts assessed the impact of the Programme and re-conceptualized the Programme in terms of structure, strategic orientations, practices, and representation. The workshop defined the strategic orientation for the AUBP as a tool for conflict management, regional cooperation, and integration to strengthen border governance.
- 413. The Commission, through the AU Border Programme (AUBP), continued its support to Member States in the areas of delimitation/demarcation/reaffirmation of inter-state boundaries, the promotion of cross-border cooperation, and strengthening the capacities of border stakeholders.
- 414. In this regard, the Programme facilitated a confidence-building exercise between Ethiopia and South Sudan, from 3 - 5 September 2024, to foster trust between the two parties, share best practices, and agree on the next steps for the establishment of a joint technical committee (JTC) for the reaffirmation of their common border. In November 2024, the AUBP, in collaboration with the EAC, facilitated the sensitization of border communities in Kenya, South Sudan, and Uganda. A follow-up to the Peace Caravan held in 2023, the sensitization raised awareness for community leaders on the resolutions adopted in 2023 and sustainable peace initiatives in the border areas.
- 415. In line with the AUBP Action Plans for Border Governance with the EAC, ECCAS, and ECOWAS, the AU Commission in partnership with the Kenya International Boundaries Office (KIBO), the National Border Commission of the Republic of Congo and the Inauguration of the Heads of National Border Commissions in West Africa, respectively, conducted regional consultations with relevant stakeholders.
- 416. The regional exercises focused on the establishment and operationalization of national structures responsible for borders; field visit to the Namanga One-Stop- Border-Post, enabling knowledge exchange of experiences with fully operational regional border structures; enhancing the capacities of border stakeholders; creation of a coordination platform between national border structures, regional and continental border actors.
- 417. In commemorating the African Border Day (ABD) on 7 June 2024, the AUBP, in collaboration with Benin, marked the 14th African Border Day from 12-13 June 2024. Held in line with the AU theme of the year, the ABD showcased Benin’s commitment to investing in education, infrastructure, and livelihoods to foster and promote prosperity and resilience among its border communities. The development of borderlands presents an opportunity for cross-border cooperation and local community engagement – stakeholders who are pivotal to the success or failure of security and development in border areas.
- 418. In promoting the implementation of the AU Strategy for Better Integrated Border Governance (AUBGS), regional forums were held in collaboration with IGAD, in May and SADC in July/August 2024. These contributed to sensitizing the IGAD and SADC Secretariats and their Member States on AUBGS, alongside existing border-related strategies; as well as facilitation of the exchange of information, and best practices. The AUBP has now completed the sensitization process on the AU Border Governance Strategy.
- 419. Importantly, the AU Commission, in collaboration with the Government of the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire, through its National Border Commission (CNFCI) organized the 2nd edition of the Abidjan Border Forum (ABF) from 23 to 25 October 2024. The Forum served as a continental platform for Member States, RECs/RMs, development partners, the private sector, and border communities to prompt synergies for collective action in the prevention and management of disputes and the sustainable development of cross-border spaces.
- 420. The theme of the 2nd edition “Green Borders: bridging the gap between shared natural resources and Security across borders”, afforded debate on the environment and climate and their implications on border governance. Given that border areas have increasingly suffered from the effects of climate change and the mismanagement of transboundary resources, the ABF called for urgent action to address the imbalance in the utilization of the territorial security of states and human security.
- 421. In November 2024, a joint retreat took place between the AU Panel of the Wise and the Bureau of the ECCAS Committee of Elders to consider the findings of the Study on Border and Territorial Disputes in the Central Africa Region. The retreat agreed to establish a coherent framework to coordinate interventions and share experiences aimed at the resolution of border and territorial disputes in the region.
e) AU Border Programme (2025)
- 310. Through the AUBP, the Commission continued to advance its support to Member States in delimiting, demarcating, and reaffirming inter-state boundaries, strengthening cross-border cooperation, and enhancing the capacities of border governance institutions. In this regard, on 30 July 2025, the Programme, in collaboration with the Republic of Ghana and the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, facilitated a ceremony in Newtown, Republic of Ghana, marking the launch of the reaffirmation of their shared land boundary through the placement of a boundary marker. On 2 October 2025, the AUBP, jointly with the Republic of Mali and the Republic of Senegal, oversaw the formal deposit of their demarcated boundary maps and treaties at the African Union Commission in Addis Ababa. Both activities engaged local communities to foster peaceful coexistence and strengthen institutional approaches to dispute resolution, thereby reducing the risk of territorial tensions and reinforcing regional stability. These initiatives aligned with Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), demonstrating how borders can be transformed into avenues for cooperation, trade, and integration.
- 311. Following the decision of the 38th Ordinary Session of the Union to institutionalize the co-organization of the Abidjan Border Forum (ABF) as the bi-annual continental platform on border governance, the Commission and the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, through its National Border Commission (CNF-CI), convened an assessment and preparatory workshop for the 3rd edition of the Forum from 30 July to 01 August 2025.
e) AU Border Programme continued
- 312. In furthering the African Union Strategy on Better Integrated Border Governance, the AUBP developed regional action plans with the Regional Economic Communities, IGAD, EAC, ECCAS, and ECOWAS, upholding the principles of subsidiarity and complementarity. In line with these plans, the Programme supported the establishment of regional coordination mechanisms, including: The Technical Experts Workshop for the EAC Regional Working Group on Border Governance in June 2025 in Dar es Salaam; the 2nd Meeting of Heads of Border Commissions of ECOWAS in August 2025 in Cotonou; and the Technical Meeting to establish a Technical Committee on Border Governance for IGAD in September 2025 in Mombasa.
- 313. The Commission deepened continental and regional frameworks for coherent border governance. The AUBP and IGAD convened Member State experts to lay the groundwork for a regional coordination mechanism in the IGAD region, emphasizing harmonized approaches to boundary management and the acceleration of the Niamey Convention’s ratification and domestication.
- 314. In promoting free movement and cross-border cooperation, the AUBP, working with the EAC, IGAD, and the Governments of Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, and South Sudan, facilitated the inaugural meeting of the Ateker Leaders Council in December 2025 in Lodwar, Republic of Kenya. Guided by the Niamey Convention, the Council was established as a platform to advance free movement, cross-border trade, and community-cantered development across the Ateker borderlands.
