Abstract:
The main purpose of this study was to investigate the major causes of inter-ethnic conflict and
traditional resolution mechanism which has been enabled to manage inter-ethnic conflicts among
Argoba, Afar and Amhara communities who are currently living in Ankober and Argoba
woredawoch respectively.
The study was relied on qualitative investigation, based on primary and partly on secondary data
collection methods. The primary data were collected through in-depth interview, participant
observation, Focus Group Discussion and case study while document analysis was used to
collect the secondary data, and also undertaken a field work to Ankober and Argoba
woredawoch stayed for three monthes in the two woredawoch to collect information on the topic
under investigation. The collected data was analyzed using thematic analysis method through
description approach.
The result of the study indicated that, degradation and shortage of natural resources (the pasture
and farm lands) that leads to forced migration (mass movements of Afar and Amhara groups
towards the central semi-arid part of Ankober woreda) and established the new settlement pattern
were the major sources of conflict.
The findings of the study also pointed out the triggered (aggravated) factors for conflict were,
ranging from competation over scarce resources and traditional (culturally) the occasional
livestock raids for stocks and trophies as well as political confrontation over to expand their
territory.
The finding of the study also indicated that the traditional inter-ethnic conflict resolution
institution (Eranaa) and its mechanism help to address socio-economic, cultural and political
causes but not still address the territorial claim among those groups.
Above all, the study was conclude that socio-economic, cultural and political practices were the
major causes of conflict in the study area, ratherthan ethnic difference, was not the cause for
inter-ethnic conflict resolution mechanism have been a potential to adress inter-ethnic conflict
among those communities.
Finally, the study will recommended for further research concerned on the issue that the
traditional inter-ethnic conflict resolution mechanism was not adressed the political aspect
particullarly claim over territory among the Afar, Argoba and Amhara ethnic groups.
