EXPLORING the PEACEBUILDING POTENTIAL of DEVELOPMENT Ngos in AREAS of PROTRACTED CONFLICT in ETHIOPIA: with SPECIAL REFERENCE to OROMIA and GAMBELLA REGIONAL STATES
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
EXPLORING THE PEACEBUILDING POTENTIAL OF DEVELOPMENT NGOs IN AREAS OF PROTRACTED CONFLICT IN ETHIOPIA: WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO OROMIA AND GAMBELLA REGIONAL STATES Town Wondimu Ketsela Mengistu Cape A THESIS SUBMITTED FOR THE DEGREEof OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT, FACULTY OF HUMANITIES, UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN. University January 2014 The copyright of this thesis vests in the author. No quotation from it or information derived from it is to be published without full acknowledgementTown of the source. The thesis is to be used for private study or non- commercial research purposes only. Cape Published by the University ofof Cape Town (UCT) in terms of the non-exclusive license granted to UCT by the author. University ABSTRACT This study examines the peacebuilding potential of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in areas of protracted conflict in Ethiopia. The findings highlight the potential transformative capacity of these NGOs and the challenges of their peacebuilding work. The research design adopted in this study was that of a mixed design method with an emphasis on the qualitative method. Data was collected through 52 in-depth interviews, a survey involving 120 households, two focus group discussions and various secondary sources. Bivariate analysis and thematic and content analysis were conducted. The evidence from the empirical findings illustrate that by applying an “indigenous empowerment perspective”, many of these NGOs have incorporated peacebuilding components into their development programmes, and have made significant contributions in five ways. Firstly, their activities have helped to activate and re-establish customary institutions and strengthened their jurisdiction over land, social and cultural issues. Secondly, their facilitation efforts in peace processes have played an important role in the establishment of inter/intra-ethnic peace groups. The facilitation efforts helped in strengthening the pastoralists’ own indigenous laws and in drawing-up by-laws relating to natural resource access, use and maintenance. Laws on murder, theft and injury were reinforced. A legal framework with the capacity to resolve group differences peacefully was developed. Thirdly, the NGOs’ inter/intra-ethnic relations initiatives helped to reinvigorate the “values” of communal resource sharing, to build cross- border cooperation, thereby reducing the incidence of cross-border raids and resource-based conflicts. Fourthly, the NGO cross-border peacebuilding initiatives helped to revitalise economic opportunities; these improved the capacity for trade and also increased the links between traders across the border, thereby creating a reciprocal interdependence and a vested interest in reducing conflict. Finally, the NGO development programmes have, in certain areas, created sustainable access to the natural resources and increased the reconstruction of physical infrastructure; these factors, in turn, contributed to a reduction in the likelihood of resource-based conflict and vulnerability to drought. The study suggests that if development NGOs operating in those conflict areas are to have a meaningful impact, then their peacebuilding projects need to build on indigenous institutions and local actors. The study also highlights how the present policy of the Ethiopian state has restricted the peacebuilding role of NGOs. The study further posits that the Ethiopian state’s judicial system and its local administration are structurally unable to address the full impact of protracted conflicts and that traditional conflict resolution mechanisms facilitated by NGOs, strategically situated, are best able to play this role. Although it is conceded that NGOs are not the “panacea” for all problems, the findings of this study point to their value. DECLARATION I, Mengistu Wondimu Ketsela, hereby declare that this thesis is my own unaided work and that the assistance obtained has been only in the form of professional guidance and supervision; and that no part of this thesis has been submitted in the past for a degree at any other University.The information used in this thesis has been obtained by me while registered as a candidate for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Social Development, University of Cape Town. ------------------------------------ --------------------------------- Signature Date iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The completion of this thesis was made possible with support from many individuals and groups to whom I am grateful. Firstly, I am greatly indebted to my academic supervisor, Dr. Constance O’Brien from the Department of Social Development, University of Cape Town, for her excellent guidance, caring, patience, and support throughout all the stages of this project. Her careful and thoughtful reading of my texts and dedication to my work throughout the research process boosted my confidence and greatly assisted the successful completion of this study. I would also like to thank Associate Professor Viviene Taylor (head of the Department of Social Development, University of Cape Town) for her professional assistance, encouragement, and kindness over the years. I am also grateful to all the academic staff of the Department of Social Development for providing useful comments and insights into the study, particularly during the seminar presentations. The assistance of many people and organisations in Ethiopia enriched my work, I thankfully acknowledge particularly Dr. Kinde Wakwaya and Mr. Worku (Mercy Corps, Addis Ababa); Mr. Yohannes Jarso, Mr. Aliyu Mustefa, Mr. Gemechu Deed and Mr. Tesfaye Temesgen (Care Ethiopia, Yabello); Mr. Feyera Abdi (SOS Sahel, Addis Ababa); Mr. Huka Garse (SOS Sahel, Yabello); Mr. Yabwork Haile (ACORD, Addis Ababa); Dr. Zerihun Ambaye (EPaRDA, Addis Ababa); Dida Jarso (GPDI, Yabello); Mr. Girma Getachew and Mr. Temam Abol (GOAL, Yabello); Mr. Nura Dida Haleke (OPA, Addis Ababa); Mr. Amanuel Segebo and Mr.Sisay Belay (Pact, Gambella); Mr. Omit Augha (HEKS, Gambella) as well as Mr. Theodros Feyisa (Save the Children US, Negelle). I am grateful for the cooperation of many government organisations in the field, particularly Conflict Resolution and Transformation Directorate at the Ministry of Federal Affairs (MoFA), Charities and Societies Agency (CSA), Borana Zone’s Bureau of Finance and Economic Development, Gambella Capacity Building Coordination Bureau, and Oromia Administration and Security Office. I am deeply indebted to the local people in the Borana Zone and Gambella region, for their patience and willingness to share their insights. I would like to thank my assistants and enumerators for sharing both the joys and the difficulties of the fieldwork. Most especially, I thank my family for their love and warmth, without which I would have found it extremely difficult to proceed with my studies. To my wife, Hilina Gessesse, I am eternally grateful. I am profoundly grateful to my long-time friends, Mahilet Gessesse, Dawit Berosso, and Abiy Getachew for their constant encouragement and generous assistance. I was deeply grateful that so many other professionals, scholars and friends from distant lands were willing to help me with funding. Thanks also to Francis and June Boulle for believing in me and providing financial assistance even though we have never met. My heartfelt thanks to Mr. Philip Murton for his assistace with the proofreading of this thesis. Finally, this PhD programme was made possible by funding from various institutions and groups. The University of Cape Town provided partial funding through the international student scholarship fund, for which I am grateful. I also acknowledge and appreciate the generous financial support I received from the John & Margaret Overbeek Scholarship administered by the Department of Social Development (University of Cape Town). iv TABLE OF CONTENTS Contents ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................................. ii DECLARATION........................................................................................................................................ iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...................................................................................................................... iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ........................................................................................................................... v LIST OF FIGURES AND MAPS .............................................................................................................. x LIST OF TABLES ...................................................................................................................................... x LIST OF ACRONYMS ............................................................................................................................. xi CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION TO THE PROBLEM .................................................................. 1 1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Background to the Study .................................................................................................................. 1 1.2.1 Indigenous conflict resolution practices....................................................................................... 5 1.2.2 NGOs in peacebuilding ...............................................................................................................