Abstract

Borderlands between countries are a focus for a number of conflict triggers which could undermine the security for border communities, national peace processes and in turn regional peace. The way in which security relations across the border are managed could determine whether conflicts or peace is sustained. States are often misplaced to engage in or coordinate community-based peace building. Through state-based institutions, a violent culture may be perpetuated, hence need to employ Track Three processes which are focused at grassroots level which involve an array of people from the community. These processes are generally interactive and problem solving. The processes help people build bridges of trustworthy clear communication that will prevent wars. Different countries have employed different processes towards the realization of peace in the affected region. It is thus essential to de-politicize a set of grassroots initiatives that have become overly political. Those involved in the processes need to keep the emphasis on the people more and the political leadership should be convinced to value these people more. This paper hence focuses on the Track Three processes that have so far been used to manage security relations between Kenya and Somalia