Social Capital and Pastoral Institutions in Conflict Management: Evidence from Eastern Ethiopia

Abstract

This paper examines the role of customary pastoral institutions in managing conflicts. It indicates thatintra-ethnic conflicts can be managed customarily because of shared norms attributed to the social proximity and cultural homogeneity, whereas managing inter-ethnic conflicts goes beyond the capacity of elders' council exercising customary law. The introduction of ethnic-based federalism and historical political relations between different ethnic groups has weakened customary institutions in managing inter-ethnic conflict. Using elders as community representatives in the formal system has negatively affected them because of community mistrust where they believe that 'state elders' are loyal to the state than to the community.

Indigenous conflict management and resolution mechanisms on rangelands in pastoral areas, Ethiopia

“…conditions across space at a given time, which will in turn reduce tension (Haro et al, 2004;Tigist, 2014;Mohammed and Beyene, 2016;Daniel et al, 2017).…”

“…However, in Ethiopia, the roles of elders' council in resolution of conflict has been overlooked by government and non-government organizations (Gebresenbet and Kefale, 2012), and considered customary conflict resolutions can be as an alternative when mediation by the formal legal systems fails to fit into the practical local situations (Mohammed and Beyene, 2016). Solving the conflicts using top down approach without understanding the real situation of local community, and disregarding the customary procedures can lead to its escalation rather than resolving the conflicts (Kinfe, 2014).…”

“…Between ethnic groups and 7. Trans-border conflict (Kelemework, 2011;Abdisalem, 2012;Anteneh et al, 2014;Fratkin, 2014;Mohammed and Beyene, 2016).…”

“…Some of the rangelands are not properly used by different groups in conflict due to conflict of interests (Mohammed and Beyene, 2016). For example, wastage of over 75, 000 ha quality rangeland between the Afar and Somali pastoralists were reported during the time of conflicts between the two groups for long period of times.…”

“…For example, wastage of over 75, 000 ha quality rangeland between the Afar and Somali pastoralists were reported during the time of conflicts between the two groups for long period of times. During the conflicts, the movements of pastoralists (strategies for protecting environment from degradation) were also restricted (Mohammed and Beyene, 2016).…”