Abstract:
The Election of a Eastern ProvincialCouncil and the restoration of.civ$an administration
signify the Eastern Province's transition into a new era in 2009. The gnd of the war has
allowed thousands of residents to return to their homes, cultivate their lands, and take an
active role in community life. Eastern citizens possess great capacity for social
reconciliation and economic achievement. Overall, the province is ripe for transformation
from war-torn region into a prosperous province. Under "pevelopment," Agriculture is
f igf,tiglrt"O as th! primary source of economic capacity bnd livelihood in the Eastern
province. ln order ior agricutture to become a powerful economic force, farmers need
better access to agricuitural credit, extension services, new technology, and training
piogi"rr. Animal tiusOanOry can make usdof female labour and small land areas, but
i"qiir", better breeding progt.*t, cheaper feed, and greater veterinary care services'
lmproved infrastructure, pa*icularly the road network, is needed to facilitate commerce
and transportation, and'to help bridge the divide'in resources and con0merbe between
rural and urban "r""r.
tndustry and bu-sineds also require greater access to market facilities
and economic information to make informed entrepreneurial deciqions. lt is necessary to
match improvements in livelihoods, economic opportunities and connectil{tV wt]1] :-1l1r::1
human capabilities of eastern communities that have suffered setbacks through lmprovlng
access to better health and education especially in tffe rural areas, while protecting the
vulnerable. For "securify, " Governance challenges endanger human..securily through
ethnic prejudice among jou"tnrn"nt officia{s and'politicians, and the failure of efigaging
community organizatioiri. fne reluctance of political parties to meaningfully assist with
community probtem solving and the failure of government officials to sort out{conflicting
property rrgi-rt claims leavei the poor and the displaced feeling egpecially rnarginalized
AOOition"f fV, each of these problems tend to create feelings of ethnic inequality, and risk
for the renewal of unrest. lmproved government responsiveness, accountability, and
service delivery is the underlying problem in the Eastern Province. Untilthese issues are
addressed, ethnic prejudice anl'poor governance will continue to silence the voibes of
,
