In Ethiopia, pastoralists are over 14 million citizens (NDRMC 2018:2). They live in 182 Woredas1 (23% of the total) across seven Regional States and Dire Dawa City (MoFPDA 2016; USAID 2018; NDRMC 2018). Pastoralists inhabit the country's lowlands, which are 60% of its land (IGAD 2017; MoFPDA 2018; DFID 2018). Almost all the pastoral inhabitants are considered rangelands. The pastoral population is diverse in ethnicity and social structure. 90% belong to the Afar, Oromo, and Somali groups. Most of these groups are in the country's peripheries. They have similar ancestry to those in the bordering countries. IGAD (2020:9) estimated the value of pastoral livestock at ETB 256.0 billion ($US 8.5 billion) in 2019. This includes cattle, camels, goats, and sheep. Pastoralists have faced marginalization and exclusion from decision-making. This is despite the benefits of their livestock-based livelihoods.
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