Description

Abstract: Pastoral people have traditionally been ill-served by decision-makers. In recent years the Government of Ethiopia has become more decentralized. Pastoral rights are now protected in the Constitution and pastoral issues are debated in Parliament. The Pastoral Affairs Standing Committee (PASC) of Parliament has been recently formed. The PASC has responsibilities for legislation, governmental oversight, and representation. Decentralization will help improve public service delivery and democratization in Ethiopia. Momentum towards a more comprehensive pastoral development process will be founded on many things. The uniqueness of pastoral systems needs to be better understood by decision makers, including the requirement that pastoralists be opportunistic and mobile. The rights of pastoralists for critical grazing and water resources need to be better appreciated and protected. Pastoral livestock production needs to be better supported by early warning, animal health, and marketing systems. Decision makers need to embrace a greater human focus. Bottom-up processes will help empower the poor. Pastoral development will require creativity and collaboration at local, national, and international levels. One example of international cooperation in West Africa has been to open borders to pastoralists to restore mobility. A similar system should be implemented among member states of the Greater Horn of Africa.