Indigenous conflicts and it’s resolution mechanisms among pastoralists, the case in Degahbour Woreda, Somali region, Ethiopia.

Abstract

This study aimed at assessing the common causes of the conflict, challenge and weakness of the indigenous conflict resolution mechanisms and assessing perspectives of the indigenous conflict resolution mechanism among pastoralists. the cross-sectional design was employed where quantitative and qualitative approaches were implemented. in this study both primary and secondary data were used, primary data was collected using focus group discussion, interview and observation with the sample size of 150 households, the study was analyzed through Descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, graphs, tables, mean and standard deviation. the majority informants confirmed that the main causes of the conflict in study area was competition of over natural
resources (water, pasture and land related problems) and also historical, political and idles of the youth were another source of conflict, the indigenous conflict resolution mechanisms are widely applied among pastoralists and high respect in the study area. The pastoralists in the study area used different conflict resolution approaches. Indigenous and modern system approaches, but indigenous conflict resolution was the main conflict resolution method, lack of recognising the role of indigenous conflict resolution mechanisms, and unfair selection of the elders during training as well as limited financial resources, women and youth are excluded during the decision-making process were the main challenges and weaknesses of indigenous conflict resolution techniques;
the study recommended that the indigenous institutions of conflict prevention, management, and resolution should be given their roles towards conflict resolution mechanisms by regional government and strengthened; first, the most important point is to enable them to return to their previous roles towards conflict resolution techniques; second, basic services like water, education, and health facilities that contribute to peaceful coexistence among pastoral communities in the study area should be implemented in order to minimise conflict in pastoral areas.