Analysing the Nature and Dynamics of Inter-Ethnic Conflicts in Federal Ethiopia: the Case of Bati-Oromo and Telalak-Afar Ethnic Groups
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Date
2022-05
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Addis Ababa University,
Abstract
This study focused on analysing the nature and dynamics of Bati-Oromo and Telalak-Afar
ethnic conflict since 1991 with respect to its causes, attempts to resolve the conflict and
factors for its failure, newly emerging issues that escalated and deescalated the conflict, and
also the current status of the conflict. To deal these objectives, qualitative research approach,
both descriptive and exploratory in nature, and a case study design were employed. Both
primary and secondary data were used in the study. Accordingly, to collect the primary data,
a total of forty eight (48) informants (18 in-depth interview informants, 12 FGD members
and 18 key informants were selected through purposive sampling technique. The data, which
were obtained from semi-structured interviews, document analysis and secondary sources
were thematically analysed. The finding of the study depicted that elite politics and non demarcated boundary were the underlying causes that led to territorial claim between the
two ethnic groups. This conflict was repeatedly exacerbated by proximate causes such as
breakdown of law and justice, cattle rustling and charcoal production, etc. In order to solve
the conflict, several efforts were taken by modern and traditional conflict resolution
institutions. However, their endeavours have become futile due to high involvement of
political elites in the resolution process and incapacitation of local elders to handle inter ethnic conflicts, the complexity of the issue beyond the realm of traditional methods, geo political factors, socio-cultural causes, lack of early warning and preventive mechanisms and
misunderstanding of the conflict causes (ignoring the root causes during resolution process).
The 2018 political change and the outbreak of COVID- 19 were the two most important
dynamics that were escalating and de-escalating the conflict at different times. Currently,
there is a considerable mutual distrust, enmity, murder, absence of conflict resolution efforts
and amicable relations between the two ethnic groups.