The role of state actors in conflict management and transformation: the case of Legetafo Legedadi town in Oromia Regional State

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Date

2019-06

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Addis Ababa Unversity

Abstract

This thesis focuses on the role played by various state actors in the management and transformation of conflicts that arise at local level in the Legetafo Legedadi town of Oromia Regional State. The researcher has adopted a qualitative research method in which data was collected through in-depth interviews of key informants that work on conflict management. Focus group discussions were organized with various stakeholders in order to grasp the views of local government employees, residents, elders and religious leaders regarding local conflict management. The research examines the sources and types of conflicts in the study area as well as the nature of the intervention undertaken by local state institutions in response to potential or actual conflicts. It identifies the state actors who have a prominent role in conflict management and resolution. The research also explores the role of urbanization in the emergence and exasperation of local conflicts. The studylooks into the sources and causes of conflict as well as the various types of conflict that occur in the area and the different actors that are involved in local conflicts. The thesis further explores what mechanisms are put in place by the local state actors for the prevention and management of conflicts as well as in conflict resolution. The thesis also discusses some innovative approaches taken by state actors in the area of conflict management and transformation. The findings of the thesis inform that the conflicts in the study area involve land relates disputes such as lack of compensation and rehabilitation programs to displaced farmers, ethnic conflict, conflicts with internally displaced persons, employment disputes between companies and their employees due to disputes over wage and benefits. The findings also indicate that local state actors mainly focus on prevention of conflicts and on managing conflicts before they escalate into violence. The local Administration and Security Bureau is the lead government unit that works on the prevention and management of conflict. This office has branches in every Kebele administration. This Security organ has further supported the creation of a religious leaders’ forum. The forum meets regularly and works on resolving local conflicts that arise within religious organizations. The research also found that there is no concrete evidence to indicate the presence of any conflict transformation activity in the study area as the main focus of state actors is on preventing and managing local conflict.

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Keywords

Conflict management, Conflict transformation, State actors, Legetafo Legedadi

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