Some Aspects of Conflict and Conflict Resolution among Waliso Oromo of Eastern Macha, with Particular Emphasis on the Guma
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Date
2002-07
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The issue of conflict and conflict resolution are seldom handled in literature on Oromo. The
present study aims at addressing this missing gap. It therefore, documents some aspects of
conflict and conflict resolutions among the Wali so Oromo. The thes is ex plores some local
institutions and practices of dealing with co nflict with especi al emphasis on the case of
homi cide.
The Oromo 111 general and the Waliso in parti cul ar were incorporated into the present
Ethiopia by the last quarter of the nineteenth century. Since the time of incorporation,
especially since the 1930's enactment of criminal law of the Empire of Ethiopia, the Waliso
have dealt with dispute cases through two different administrations of justice. These are: the
government court and the traditional Oromo system of justice. The latter has undergone
considerable changes due to internal dynamics and external influences. However, basic
Oromo administration of justice is still persisting. Consequently, the majority of dispute cases
among the Waliso Oromo are handled at local level by local institutions, according to the
locally set laws. The data from this study clearly shows that there are various factors that
produce this effect. As opposed to government court, Oromo institutions are highly value
oriented and embedded in the belief system. They are also capable of considering both the
social ties of the disputants and the context of the proceedings. In the mean time, the Waliso
make a tactical move from local mechanisms to government court and vice- versa. An appeal
to government court is mainly used to enforce their own value and justice system.
Paradoxically, the threat of government intervention facilitates resolution through local
institutions.
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The issue of conflict and conflict resolution are seldom handled in literature on Oromo.