After the collapse of the Derg regime in 1991, Ethiopia adopted, its first Federal Democratic Constitution in 1995. Since then, Ethiopia is declared as a federal state encompassing various ethno-linguistic groups. Accordingly, the federation has comprised nine regional states and two city administrations. One of the members of the federation is the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples Regional State. The Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples Region witnessed interethnic disputes such as identity, border and resource conflicts that caused unnecessary consequence. In the 2001constitution adopted by the Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples of the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples Region, the Council of Nationalities was institutionalized with a number of constitutional mandates of which dispute management and resolution is the prominent one. It is in light of this power that aims at examining how the Council fulfils this constitutional mandate.
For the accomplishment of the objective of the study, largely secondary data and primary data obtained through unstructured interviews were used. In doing so, some cases entertained by the Council of Nationalities is analysed. The Council of Nationalities entertained a number of interethnic conflicts and resolved them accordingly. With regard to this, the Council of Nationalities engaged in numerous inter-ethnics conflict resolutions submitted to it by the respective contending ethnic groups. The conflicts have been managed and resolved mainly through deploying security force and round the table discussion in collaboration with indigenous conflict resolution institutions. But when we see its achievement in discharging its mandate properly, delays to make decision timely, late to intervene in conflicts, and absence of early warning system to provide information timely are some among the failures of CoN. Therefore, though there are some achievements in rendering peace education in some parts of the region, the Council of Nationalities has deficiencies in discharging its duties; conflict management and resolution aspects of its responsibilities in particular.
Table of Contents
Chapter One
1.1 Background of the Study
1.2 Statement of the Problem
1.3 Objectives
1.3.1 General Objective
1.3.2 Specific Objectives
1.4 Research Questions
1.5 Scope of the study
1.6 Significance of the Study
1.7 Limitation of the Study
1.8 Methodology and Methods of the Study
1.8.1 Data Sources
1.8.1.1 Document Review
1.8.1.2 Key Informant Interview
1.8.2 Data Analysis
1.8.3 Ethical Considerations
1.8.4 Organization of the Study
Chapter Two: Theoretical and Conceptual Framework
2.1 Theoretical Framework
2.1.1 Major Theories of Conflict
2.1.1.1 Identity Theory
2.1.1.2 Structural Conflict Theory
2.1.1.3 Community Relations Theory
2.2 Conceptual Framework
2.2.1 Understanding Conflict
2.2.2 Dispute Settlement
2.2.2.1 Conflict Management
2.2.2.2 Conflict Resolution
2.2.3 Ethnicity, Federalism and Conflict
2.2.3.1 Understanding of Ethnicity, Nation and Nationality
2.2.3.2 Understanding Ethnic Conflict
2.2.3.3 Mechanisms of Managing and Resolving Ethnic Conflict
2.4 Federalism and Conflict
2.4.1 The Meaning of Federalism
2.4.2 Federalism and Federation
2.4.3 Conflict Resolution Mechanisms in Federal System(s)
Chapter Three: An Overview of the Historical Development of the Ethiopian Federal System
3.1 Introduction
3.2 The Rational of Ethnic Based Federal System in Ethiopia
3.2.1 Ethnic Federalism in Ethiopia’s Southern Nations, Nationalities and People’s Regional State
3.3 Trends of Conflict Management in Federal Ethiopia
3.3.1 Conflict Management and Resolution Mechanisms in Federal Ethiopia
3.3.1.1 Traditional Conflict Resolution Mechanism in Federal Ethiopia
3.3.1.2 Formal Conflict Management and Resolution Mechanisms in Ethiopia
3.4 Institutional Structure of HoF and CoN (SNNPRS) and their Similarities and Differences in terms of Constitutional Set up and Principles
3.4.1 The Similarity between the House of Federation and Council of Nationalities in terms of Selection and Representation
3.4.2 The Difference between the House of Federation and Council of Nationalities in terms of Representation and their Function
Chapter Four: The Role of Council of Nationalities in Managing and Resolving Conflicts in the SNNPRS
4.1 Mandates of the Council of Nationalities
4.2 Conflicts in the Southern Nations, Nationalities and People’s Regional State: An overview
4.2.1 Border Conflict in the SNNPRS
4.2.2 Identity Conflicts in the SNNPRS
4.2.3 Question of Self Administration and Conflicts in the SNNPRS
4.2.4 Conflict over Natural Resource in the SNNPRS
4.3 Conflict Management and Resolution Strategies of the Council of Nationalities
4.3.1 Making all Rounded Participation on Conflict Resolving Activities
4.3.2 Extending Peace Education
4.3.3 Reducing Damage and Creating a Suitable Information Net Work for Conflict Resolution Activities
4.4 Intervention of Council of Nationalities in Conflict Ridden Areas of the SNNPRS
4.4.1 The Role of the CoN in Deploying Security force while Violent Conflict emerged in the SNNPRS
4.5 Challenges and Prospects of Council of Nationalities in Discharging Its Constitutional Duties
4.5.1 Challenges of the Council of Nationalities (SNNPRS)
4.5.1.1 Lack of Good Governance in the SNNPRS
4.5.1.2 Financial Constraints and Shortage of Skilled Man Power
4.5.1.3 Absence of Systematic Strategy to Deal and Handle Cases Entered to CoN
4.5.1.4 Unlawful Horizontal and Vertical Intervention in Handling Conflicts
4.5.2 Prospects of the Council of Nationalities
4.5.2.1 Working with Different Stakeholder Cooperatively
4.5.2.2 Preparing Strategy of Conflict Resolution (SRC) and Conflict Analysis Reader of the SNNPRS
4.6 Analysis of Some Entertained Cases by the Council of Nationalities
4.6.1 An Overview of Zeise and Derashe Conflict
4.6.1.1 The Role of the Council of Nationalities in Handling Zeise and Derashe Case
4.6.1.2 The Strength of CoN during the Dispute Settlement Process of Zeise and Derashe
4.6.1.3 Weakness of Council of Nationalities in the Zeise and Derashe Dispute Settlement and Reconciliation Process
4.6.2 An Overview of Guji and Sidama Conflict
4.6.2.1 The Role of the CoN in Managing and Resolving the Guji-Sidama Conflict
4.6.2.1.1 The Strength of the CoN in the Guji and Sidama Dispute Settlement Process
4.6.2.1.2 The Weakness of the CoN during the Dispute Resolution Process of the Guji and Sidama
Chapter Five: Conclusion and Recommendation
5.1 Recommendations
Research Objectives and Themes
The research examines the effectiveness of the Council of Nationalities (CoN) in the Southern Nations, Nationalities and People’s Regional State (SNNPRS) of Ethiopia regarding its constitutional mandate to manage and resolve inter-ethnic disputes. The study evaluates the strategies employed by the CoN, identifies institutional challenges, and assesses the organization's role in mitigating violence in a multi-ethnic federation.
- The role of the Council of Nationalities in conflict management and resolution.
- The dynamics of inter-ethnic conflicts (identity, resource-based, and border disputes).
- Effectiveness of formal government interventions versus traditional/indigenous dispute resolution mechanisms.
- Challenges of good governance, institutional structure, and capacity within the regional administration.
- Prospects for institutional development and peace-building through multi-stakeholder cooperation.
Excerpt from the Book
4.2.4 Conflict over Natural Resource in the SNNPRS
Resource conflicts in the SNNPRS are exacerbated because of dwindling of resources, population pressure, change in livelihood strategies of communities. Similarly, Medhane (2004) argues that dwindling of land resource as a result of development interventions (large scale mechanized farms); continuous and cyclic droughts particularly in the lowland parts of the Region induce acute resource conflicts between users of natural resources.
Conflict over natural resource had been emerged between or and among hosted ethnic groups of the Region. There had been resource based conflicts between Konso and Derashe, and Konso and Burji, and Zeise and Derashe ethnic groups. Among the above listed resource based conflicts, Zeise and Derashe dispute was the sever one. It was emerged and transformed into violent conflict following the intentions of Zeise individuals sought to charge additional amount of money from the leased land. Derashes, the renter of the leased land, reacted aggressively against the Zeise claim. Similarly, there have been resource based conflicts in South Omo and Bench-Maji Zones of the Region. The conflicts in the area were caused by seasonal confrontations over grazing land (Almayehu, 2009). Beside, changes in the livelihood strategies and mode of production of ethnic groups particularly transformation from pastoralist to agriculture and agro-pastoralist mode of production has intensified resource based conflicts and put pressures on conflict management institutions of the Region.
On the other hand, Vaughn and Tronvoll (2003) argue that “many of resource conflicts in Ethiopia have been dormant, but the new constitutional order (and urge to draw boundaries based on ethnicity) has offered new legitimacy to pre-existing competition and antagonism”, whilst infusing both with an ethnic dimension. In other words, following the creation of federalism based on ethnic line, the quiescent conflicts emerged in a new form using their ethnic identity as pretext. Hence, changes in the regional and local administrative structures of the country through ethnic federalism tends to transform competition and conflicts over resources between ethnic groups into territorial and boundary conflicts. Therefore, it is possible to argue that, dwindling of natural resource, change of production system of hosted ethnic groups and the adoption of new state structure could be for front factors behind the intensification of resource based conflict in the SNNPRS.
Summary of Chapters
Chapter One: Provides the background and research design, focusing on the Ethiopian political history, the problem statement regarding ethnic conflict, and the study's qualitative methodology.
Chapter Two: Theoretical and Conceptual Framework: Outlines major conflict theories like identity and structural theory, and clarifies concepts related to federalism and dispute settlement in ethnically diverse societies.
Chapter Three: An Overview of the Historical Development of the Ethiopian Federal System: Discusses the evolution of Ethiopian federalism, the rationale behind ethnic-based administrative units, and the emergence of institutional mechanisms for conflict management.
Chapter Four: The Role of Council of Nationalities in Managing and Resolving Conflicts in the SNNPRS: Investigates the specific mandate of the Council, analyzes causes of conflicts in the region, and evaluates the Council's strategies, challenges, and interventions in selected conflict cases.
Chapter Five: Conclusion and Recommendation: Synthesizes the findings regarding the Council's effectiveness, discusses its limitations in participatory conflict resolution, and provides recommendations for strengthening its role.
Keywords
Council of Nationalities, SNNPRS, Ethnic Federalism, Conflict Management, Conflict Resolution, Identity Conflict, Resource-based Conflict, Inter-ethnic disputes, Good Governance, Ethiopia, Peace Education, Institutional Structure, Decentralization, Regional State, Ethiopia Constitutional Law
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this thesis?
The thesis focuses on the role and performance of the Council of Nationalities (CoN) in the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Regional State (SNNPRS) of Ethiopia in managing and resolving conflicts within the regional state.
What are the central themes discussed in this work?
The key themes include the impact of ethnic federalism on local conflicts, the institutional capacity of the Council of Nationalities, the causes of inter-ethnic disputes, and the interaction between modern government institutions and traditional/indigenous conflict resolution methods.
What is the primary research objective?
The primary objective is to assess how the Council of Nationalities fulfills its constitutional mandate to manage and resolve conflicts that emerge among the various nations and nationalities within the SNNPRS.
What methodology does the author utilize?
The study employs a qualitative approach, utilizing largely secondary data sources such as literature and documents, alongside primary data obtained through unstructured in-depth interviews with key informants from various levels of government and society.
What topics are covered in the main body of the work?
The main body covers the theoretical framework of conflict, the history of the Ethiopian federal system, an overview of ethnic conflicts in the SNNPRS (such as boundary and identity issues), and a detailed analysis of the Council's intervention strategies and challenges.
How can the key terms of the study be summarized?
The work is defined by terms such as ethnic federalism, conflict resolution mechanisms, SNNPRS, institutional challenges, identity-based politics, and community participation in peace-building.
Does the Council of Nationalities work independently of other government bodies?
No, the study indicates that the Council often collaborates with the executive branch and regional security bureaus, though it faces challenges regarding its independence, structural clarity, and the "top-down" nature of political interventions.
What specific cases are analyzed in the book?
The book specifically analyzes the conflicts between the Zeise and Derashe ethnic groups, and between the Guji Oromo and Sidama groups, to evaluate the effectiveness of the Council's dispute settlement processes.
What are the primary findings regarding the effectiveness of the Council?
The author concludes that while the Council has made efforts in peace education and reporting, it suffers from a lack of early warning systems, insufficient skilled personnel, and a reactive approach that often only intervenes after conflicts have escalated into violence.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Yideg Munana (Autor:in), 2012, Conflict Management and Resolution in the SNNPRS (Ethiopia). The Role of Council of Nationalities As Panacea?, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/956098
