Federalism and Inter-Clan Relations Along the Regional Borders of Oromia and Somali: a Case Study of Liban and Filtu Woredas
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Federalism and Inter-Clan Relations along the Regional Borders of Oromia and Somali: A Case Study of Liban and Filtu Woredas A Dissertation Submitted to the Center for Federal Studies of the College of Law and Governance Studies of Addis Ababa University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Federalism and Governance Studies By Tesfaye Jima Birru Addis Ababa University College of Law and Governance Studies Center for Federal Studies June 2018, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Federalism and Inter-Clan Relations along the Regional Borders of Oromia and Somali: A Case Study of Liban and Filtu Woredas A Dissertation Submitted to the Center for Federal Studies of the College of Law and Governance Studies of Addis Ababa University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Federalism and Governance Studies By Tesfaye Jima Birru Supervisors Dr. Getachew Kassa (Addis Ababa University) Dr. Mustafa Babiker (University of Khartoum) Addis Ababa University College of Law and Governance Studies Center for Federal Studies June 2018, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Declaration I, the undersigned, declare that this PhD dissertation entitled Federalism and Inter-Clan Relations along the Regional Borders of Oromia and Somali: A Case Study of Liban and Filtu Woredas is my own original work, and has not been presented for a degree in any other university or academic institution, and that all source of materials used in the dissertation are fully acknowledged and properly referenced. Tesfaye Jima Birru _______________ Signature _______________ Date Addis Ababa University School of Graduate Studies Approval Sheet for the Supervisors This is to certify that this PhD dissertation entitled Federalism and Inter-Clan Relations along the Regional Borders of Oromia and Somali: A Case Study of Liban and Filtu Woredas, prepared by Tesfaye Jima Birru (Id. No. GSR/2416/04), and submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (in Federalism and Governance Studies) complies with the regulations of the University, meets the accepted scholarly standards and is therefore ready to proceed to examination. Dr. Getachew Kessa / /_______ Internal Supervisor Signature Date Dr. Mustafa Babiker / /______ External Supervisor Signature Date Addis Ababa University School of Graduate Studies Approval Sheet for the Board of Examiners This is to certify that the dissertation prepared by Tesfaye Jima Birru, entitled Federalism and Inter-Clan Relations along the Regional Borders of Oromia and Somali: A Case Study of Liban and Filtu Woredas and submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (in Federalism and Governance Studies) complies with the regulations of the University and meets the accepted standards with respect to originality and quality. No. Name Signature Date 1. Prof.Yonatan Fessha ____________ _______________ 2. Dr.Fekadu Adugna ____________ _______________ 3. Dr. Dereje Feyisa ____________ _______________ ________________, Dr. Zemelak Ayitenew, Chairman, Center for Federalism and Governance Studies Table of Contents Contents page Acronyms i Glossary ii List of Figures iii List of Tables iii Acknowledgement iv Abstract vi Chapter One: Introduction 1.1 Background of the study 1 1.2 Statement of the Problem 4 1.3 Basic Research Questions 6 1.4 Objectives of the Study 7 1.5 Significance of the Study 7 1.6 Scope of the Study 8 1.7 Limitations of the Study 8 1.8 Central Arguments of the Thesis 9 1.9 Theoretical and Analytical FrameWork 9 1.9.1 Theoretical Frame Work 10 1.9.1.1 Theory of Federalism 10 1.9.1.2 Theory of Decentralization 12 1.9.1.3 Theory of Inter-Ethnic Relations 14 1.9.2 Analytical Framework 16 1.9.2.1 Institutional Path Dependency 16 1.9.2.2 Bateson System Scheme Model 18 1.10 Research Design and Methodology 19 1.11 Source of Data 20 1.12 Sampling Procedures 21 1.13 Instruments of Data Collection 21 1.13.1 Interviews 21 1.13.2 Focus Group Discussion 22 1.13.3 Observation 22 1.14 Methods of Data Analysis and Interpretation 22 1.15 Ethical Considerations 23 1.16 Organization of the Study 23 Chapter Two: Setting of the Study Area 2.1 Introduction 25 2.2 Pastoralists and Agro-Pastoral Communities in Ethiopia: An overview 25 2.3 The Oromia National Regional State 26 2.4 Liban woreda: Demography & Geography 27 2.5 The Somali National Regional State 31 2.6 Filtu Woreda: Demography & Geography 32 2.7 Summary 37 Chapter Three: Ethnicity, Conflict, Federalism and Decentralization: Concepts & Theories 3.1 Introduction 38 3.2 Theoretical Perspectives on Ethnicity 38 3.2.1 Primordialist 40 3.2.2 Instrumentalist 41 3.2.3 Constructionist 42 3.3 Ethnic Group, Identity, and Boundary 43 3.4 Inter-Ethnic Dichotomization, Harmonization, and Cultural Relationships 48 3.5 Concepts of Conflict 52 3.5.1 Conflict and the Question of Attitude 53 3.5.2 Causes of ethnic/clan conflicts 55 3.6 Understanding Federalism 56 3.7 Concept of Decentralization 58 3.8 Concept of Good Governance 62 3.9 Summary 66 Chapter Four: Review of Related Literature 4.1 Introduction 67 4.2 Oromo-Somali Relations: Historical Overview 67 4.3 Ethiopia’s Ethnic Federalism: contending views 75 4.3.1 Ethnic Federalism in Ethiopia is Desirable 75 4.3.2 Ethnic Federalism in Ethiopia is Undesirable 79 4.4 Decentralization in Ethiopia: pre and post-1991 83 4.4.1 The Imperial Regime 84 4.4.2 The Derg (Military) Regime 85 4.4.3 The EPRDF Rule 86 4.5 Post-1991 Local Inter-Ethnic/clans Conflict in Ethiopia: An Overview 88 4.6 Summary 92 Chapter Five: The Role of Indigenous Institutions in Inter-clan Relations and Resource Management: Liban and Filtu Woredas 5.1 Introduction 94 5.2 Customary-Law to Manage Water-Wells and Grazing-Lands 94 5.2.1 Customary Law on Ponds/Water Wells 96 5.2.2 Customary Law on Grazing Land/Pasture 99 5.3 Policy Impact on Customary Law and Clan Relations 100 5.3.1 Settlement Policy 100 5.3.2 Official Ban on Bush Burning Practice 106 5.3.3 Sub-Kebele Government Structures in Control of Pastoral Communities 107 5.3.3.1 Restricting mobility and elders Role in leadership 109 5.3.3.2 Restricting freedom of speech in public meeting 110 5.3.3.3 Eroding the indigenous socio-cultural and economic self-help system of the communities 112 5.4 Traditional Versus Government Institutions on Grazing Land and Water-Wells 113 5.5 The Status of Traditional Institutions 115 5.6 Summary 122 Chapter Six: Federalism and Inter-Clan Relations: Identity, Socio-Economic Affairs and their Dynamics 6.1 Introduction 124 6.2 Inter-Clan Relations across the Woreda 124 6.2.1 The Relation of Borana and Arsi with Digodia and Marehan 125 6.2.2 The Relation of Arsi Oromo Clans (Gurra, Karanle, and Ajuran) with Somali Clans (Gurra, Karanle and Ajuran) 127 6.2.3 The Relation of Borana Oromo with Garri Somali 129 6.2.4 The Relation between Majority clans with Minority clans 130 6.3 Inter-Clan Relations within the Filtu Woreda 133 6.3.1 Digodia-Garri Relations 133 6.3.2 Digodia -Garri-Maro Relations 134 6.3.3 The Relation between Majority Digodia Somali with Minority Somali clans 136 6.4 Inter-Clan Relations within Liban Woreda 137 6.4.1 Borana, Arsi and Guji Relations 137 6.5 Pastoral and Agropastoral Relations on Natural Resources 140 6.6 Challenges of Minority Clans 143 6.7 Market and Trade Relations 144 6.8 Dynamics of Clan Relations: Filtu & Liban Woredas 148 6.9 Summary 150 Chapter Seven: Post-1991 Inter-Clan Conflicts: Liban and Filtu Woredas 7.1 Introduction 152 7.2 Border Conflict 152 7.2.1 Borana-Digodia Clan Conflict 155 7.2.2 Borana-Marehan Clan Conflict 157 7.2.3 Arsi Oromo and Gurra (Somali) conflict 158 7.3 Resource Conflict 161 7.4 Good Governance and Inter-Clan Conflict 168 7.5 Role of Elders in Conflict Resolution 177 7.6 Roles of Government and NGOs on Conflict Resolution 183 7.7 Summary 185 Chapter Eight: Decentralization and Local Development as a Means for Promoting Clan Cooperation 8.1 Introduction 188 8.2 Decentralization in Oromia and Somali Regions: Liban & Filtu Woredas 188 8.2.1 Political Decentralization 189 8.2.2 Public Participation 202 8.2.3 Administrative Decentralization in Post-2002 204 8.3 Fiscal Decentralization and Local Development: Liban vs Filtu Woredas 209 8.3.1 Liban Woreda’s Annual Revenue Collection Capacity 210 8.3.2 Expenditure Responsibilities of Liban Woreda 211 8.3.3 Filtu Woreda’s Annual Revenue Collection Capacity 213 8.3.4 Expenditure Responsibilities of Filtu Woreda 214 8.4 Social Service Developments 216 8.4.1 Discussion on Liban Woreda Basic Service Deliveries 218 8.4.2 Discussion on Filtu Woreda Basic Service Deliveries 221 8.5 Social Service Delivery for Clan Cooperation 225 8.6 Summary 227 Chapter Nine: Summary & Conclusions 9.1 Summary of the Major Findings 230 9.1 Ethiopian Federalism: Linking Theory and Local Communal Relation Practices 231 9.1.1 Oromo-Somali (Inter-clan) Relation: Historical Account and the Practice in the Study woredas 234 9.1.2 Post-1991 Ethnicity and Inter-clan conflicts 237 9.1.3 Inter-Clan Cooperation along Regional Border 241 9.2 Conclusion 245 9.3 Way Forwards 245 Bibliography 246 Appendices 264 Appendix I: List of Informants 264 A. List of Interviewees Liban Woreda 264 B. List of Interviewees Filtu Woreda 267 Appendix II: Focus Group Discussions 271 A.