ABSTRACT
The occurrence of territorial and boundary conflict is one of the problematic features of African international relations. Foreign intervention and diversionary politics fomented especially by the military and dictatorial elites has produced much ill-advised conflict over land. The seven IGAD member states (Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan and Uganda) created the Conflict Early Warning and Response Mechanism (CEWARN) as a collaborative effort targeted at mitigating and preventing violent conflicts in the sub-region. Boundary and border disputes and tensions in The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) area have traditionally been picked up at the local level and through individuals known as field monitors. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Treaty and its protocols are quite relevant in various ways in relation to boundary matters and its rules allow the REC to intervene at all stages in the life of a boundary situation. Boundary conflicts in theory can be submitted to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) tribunal.
