The case of Argoba, Afar and Amhara people in Argoba Special Woreda of Afar National Regional State and Ankober Woreda of Amhara National Regional State Interethnic Conflict Causes and Resolution Mechanism:

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.