Peace Forum Concludes Successfully in Yabello, Borana Zone

By Habtamu Abrdew Beture

YABELLO, Ethiopia — In a significant step toward fostering stability and social cohesion, a multi-stakeholder Peace Forum successfully concluded today, February 7, 2026 at the Pastoralist Technical and Vocational Training College in Yabello.

The event was organized by the Spiritan Community Service in Ethiopia (SCORE) Borana Office, under the umbrella of the Borana Integrated Community Development Project (BICDP Phase-2) and the Multi-Actor Partnership (MAP) project.

The forum brought together a diverse group of leaders and community representatives committed to building a culture of non-violence. Notable participants included:

• The Deputy Administrator of the Borana Zone.

• Religious leaders and Gadaa traditional elders.

• Peace committees and representatives from the Women’s and Youth bureaus.

• Delegates from the districts of Dillo, Dubluk, Gomole, Elwaye, Yabello, and Dire.

• Officials from the Zonal Peace and Security Office and the Early Warning Office.

Participants engaged in active dialogue focused on practical strategies to strengthen peace at both the grassroots and regional levels. The discussions centered on four critical areas which are leveraging the wisdom of the Gadaa system and local customs to settle disputes, empowering these key groups to lead peacebuilding initiatives within their neighborhoods, strengthening mechanisms to detect and prevent potential conflicts before they escalate acknowledging the vital need to maintain peace along the Ethiopia-Kenye border to ensure regional stability.

"This forum has reaffirmed our collective commitment to preventing conflict and fostering unity across the Borana Zone and beyond," organizers noted during the closing ceremony.

The forum concluded with a shared pledge to enhance coordination between the government, civil society, and traditional community structures. By aligning these different sectors, the initiative aims to create a sustainable framework for social harmony and development.

SCORE expressed its heartfelt gratitude to all stakeholders for their dedication to building a peaceful future, emphasizing that such collaborations are essential for the long-term prosperity of the region.