Federalism and Inter-Clan Relations along the Regional Borders of Oromia and Somali: A Case Study of Liban and Filtu Woredas
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Date
2018-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This dissertation is an examination of inter-clan relations along regional borderlands within the
federal political system of Ethiopia in the last two decades. It examines explicitly whether the
legally decentralized political, administrative and fiscal power have been implemented at the local
level, i.e. in pastoral and agro-pastoral communities. Emphasis was given to institutions, political
representations, administrative functions, fiscal transfers, implementation of the decentralized
authority and resources, in the light of perception and participation of stakeholders; and whether
or not this devolution of power has promoted cooperation among various clans thereby brought
sustainable peace and development. Thus, a phenomenology, embedded case study which was
primarily qualitative, was conducted on two case study woredas -Liban woreda of Oromia state and
Filtu woreda of the Somali state. Data were collected through document analysis, focus group
discussions, interviews and observation. In order to explain these data, a combination of
conceptual and analytical frameworks was constructed and organized on the basis of theories of
federalism, decentralization, ethnic relations, and conflicts.
The findings indicate that in both woredas ; federalism and its local government institutions—and
public policies from above—have marginalized traditional institutions, the customary law of the
communities, which used to help clans cooperatation on resources use, allocation and
management. As a result, owing to delayed actions to respond to grievances of communities-like
boundary demarcation, resource sharing, representation of pastoral community at regional
parliament and minority access to administrative power and unequal service delivery by local
governments along Somali-Oromia regional border, inter-clan relations have deteriorated.
Furthermore, inter-clan relations in these border areas have been influenced by the absence of
inter-governmental relations at woreda level, lack of accountability and transparency, the
politicization of clan identity by officials, and lack of emphasis on social service provision which
could serve as a means for promoting clan cooperation. Overall, the study realved that
constitutionally decentralized political power, administrative functions and fiscal issues of Ethiopia
have not yet been fully implemented at the woreda level as planned.
The findings of the study also disclosed that full implementation of local level decentralization of
authority in the case study areas was inadequate. This suggests that the traditional leadership
structure and customary law be restored to enhance peaceful coexistence and cooperation among
the clans. In addition, the local communities complain about issues related to boundary issues,
minority representations, demand local accountability, and lack of basic infrastructures that tie
clans together in the areas need to be given immediate responses. From the study, a well
established and closely supported intergovernmental relation is implied, and hence much attention
needs to be given to the woreda level inter-governmental relation by Somali-Oromia regional states.
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Keywords
Federalism and, Inter-Clan Relations along