Administrative and Security History of Libo Awurajja, in Bägémeder and Semén Province (1941-1991)

Abstract

This study attempts to reconstruct a history of administrative and security problems in Libo Awurajja from 1941 to 1991. By using archival, oral and written secondary sources, the thesis critically examines the impact of the administrative changes, maladministration of the state in relation to taxation and land, banditry and robbery, programs of Därg and the emergence of insurgents such as EDU, EPRP and EPRDF which brought security problems on the life of the people of the awurajja. Libo awurajja is one of the sub-provinces in the former Bägémeder and Seménţäqlay gizat which shares extensive borders with Gondar, Gayent, Däbrä Tabor, Seménand Wägäraawurajjas and Wällo ţäqlay gezat with whom it experienced peaceful and hostile relations. Libo was organized first as a wäräda gezat immediately after the restoration of the monarchy in 1941, but for the sake of administrative and security purpose, it organized into awurajja level in 1957. There were frequent administrative changes and administrative boundary revisions in the awurajja, conducted in 1942, 1946, 1965 and 1978. These changes brought territorial claim between the contiguous sub-provinces, which ended in boundary crisis. The imperial regime imposed heavy and recurrent taxation on the people of the awurajja but it faced stiff resistance from the people and some of them were ended in bloodshed. Inability of the state to control banditry and thievery added with in proper management of land resource brought unending disturbance in the awurajja. Frequent appointment and dismissal of awrajja administrators’ caused maladministration. The various programs of Därg such as land reform villagization and national security caused popular resentment and ended in vain. Därg’s political attitudes (banned the presence of opposing parties) resulted in the emergence of insurgents which adversely affected the life of the people of the awurajja throughout the military period. Both the imperial and Därg governments tried their best to thwart the situation through a combination of forceful and peaceful approaches though not successful. Parallel to governments’ effort, the local people by theirown widely engaged in the reversing of security problems through religious and traditional associations. The failure of local and higher government officials to fight security problems isolated the people from the state and led to the downfall of the imperial regime and Därg in 1974 and 1991 respectively.