Available Online at www.ijcrr.in Research International Journal of Contemporary Research and Review CrossRef DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15520/ijcrr/2017/8/12/377

ISSN 0976 – 4852 December, 2017|Volume 08|Issue 12|

Section: Life Science

Causes of Inter- Ethnic Conflict in the Greater Horn of African Countries: The Case of , , South Sudan and Uganda Dita Tuse (MA) Lecturer at Dawa University, Ethiopia Received 2017-10-05; Accepted 2017-11-26

Abstract:

The Greater horn of African region became area where inter –ethnic conflict escalating at alarming rate from time to time. This study focused on four ethnically heterogeneous countries (Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan and Uganda).The study based on secondary sources to examine various inter-ethnic conflicts happened so far in the region. To some extent, ongoing conflicts also highlighted. The researcher employed narration, interpretation, and conceptual generalization to analyze data. The results showed that, complexity of border demarcation between administrative divisions, legacy of past regimes of respective state and colonizers with exception of Ethiopia, competitions over socio-political and socio-economic benefits and maladministration are major causes of inter ethnic conflict in the region .It was recommended to states in the region have to prioritize proportional representation ethnic groups in decision making especially on national policy/agenda that affect the life of all citizens and develop systematically redistributive policies that targeted on political power and economy. Key words: Inter-Ethnic, Conflict, Greater :

Back ground: relations. Instrumentalism treats ethnicity as a tool Inter-ethnic conflicts refer to a state marked by for advancing self interest and as rational choice to deficiency of communication, or lack of peaceful minimize social cost and maximize socioeconomic coexistence that hampers interaction between rewards Yang .P.Q (2000) for example Horowitz, members of different ethnic groups Kipkemoi D.L. (1985), stated that, the instrumentalist J.L.(2015).Ethnicity is a complex phenomenon approach sees ethnicity as a tool manipulated by defined by different theories and scholars in political elites to further their interests different ways. Theories of ethnicity address what In Africa there have since the mid-1960s been the nature of ethnicity is and why ethnicity emerges prolonged and protracted ethnic-related violent band endures. There are three major theories termed political conflicts, including in some cases, civil primordialsm, constructivism and instrumentalism. wars in the following countries: Algeria, Burundi, Primordialsm emphasize the ascription of ethnicity, Chad, Congo-Brazzaville, the Democratic Republic fixed ethnic boundaries and the importance of of the Congo (formerly Zaire), Cote d’Ivoire, biological and /or cultural inheritance. In contrast Eritrea, Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, constructivism accentuates social construction of Mauritania, Morocco, Niger Republic, Nigeria, ethnicity, flexible ethnic boundaries and the Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, , South salience of social environment. They view ethnic Africa, the Sudan, Uganda and Zimbabwe. Jinadu conflict as a social phenomenon emanating from A.L. 2007.The greater horn region is one of the socio-political and historical most conflict-ravaged areas on the African continent. The populations of the region have International Journal of Contemporary Research and Review, Vol. 8, Issue. 12, Page no: SC 20337-20346 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.15520/ijcrr/2017/8/12/377 Page | 20337 Dita Tuse Causes Of Inter- Ethnic Conflict In The Greater Horn Of African Countries: The Case Of Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan And Uganda endured many inter-state and Intra-state armed interpretation, and conceptual generalization to conflicts during the post-independence era Kidane analyze data. M (2011). With regard to the causes of ethnic The Greater Horn of Africa and Inter-Ethnic conflict in Africa, United Kingdom Department for Conflict: International Development (2001) identified that, inequality between groups is probably the foremost The Greater Horn of Africa is known for decades as cause of conflict in Africa. It is inequality between one of the hottest geographical spaces of internal groups – rather than individuals – that increases the dissidence and interstate conflicts. Wasara.S.S. prospects of violent conflict. It exists on three (2002), The “Greater” Horn of Africa, as defined by mutually reinforcing levels: economic, social and the Inter governmental Authority on Development political. (IGAD), comprises 8 countries (Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Statement of the problem: Uganda) . The region has been experienced with a Ethnic interest conflicts seem to be common in all number of armed conflicts, ethno-linguistic ethnically heterogeneous countries of the world, but disputes, religious radicalism where in it catches the the nature of such conflicts varies greatly from attention of most developed nations including US peaceful competition between ethnic groups to for their strategic interest over the region. Muhabie violent clashes, civil wars, ethnic cleansing, and M.(2015). A major cause of African conflicts has genocide Vanhanen T. 2012. been ethnicity, and it has continued to be so. The The Horn of Africa experiences conflicts that set creation of new nation-states at the time of states against states and communities against independence was accompanied urgent calls for communities resulting in political turbulence and nation-building by the new African leaders who human tragedy Wasara.S.S.2002. This conflict and were well aware of the difficulty in transcending instability trends in the Horn of Africa make the African ethnic and regional loyalties. Oyeniyi.A. region one of the most unstable regions in the (2011 ). Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan, and Uganda world. Many parts of the Horn of Africa remain are among ethnically heterogeneous countries in the unable to break free of armed conflicts, violent greater horn region and experienced prolonged crime, communal violence, extremism, political inter-ethnic conflict. I have attempted to separately instability and state failures that have plagued the look in to the causes of inter ethnic conflict in both region for decades Ahmed.A (2015) of them. Objective of the study: Ethnic conflicts in Ethiopia: The main objective of this study is to highlight Ethiopia is ethnically diverse state embracing major causes of enter-ethnic conflict in greater horn various ethnic groups .The country has about 80 of African region. ethnic groups (nations, nationalities and peoples) amounting to about 84 million people in 2012 Method: (projected population, CSA, 2010). Ethiopia had This research is qualitative research and focused on been ruled under unitary state until may 1991. Since causes of inter- ethnic conflict in Ethiopia, Kenya, 1991, Ethiopia is divided into nine ethnic- South Sudan, and Uganda. The researcher selects linguistically based regions and two urban areas these countries on the base of presences of (Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa). The regions are: diversified ethnic groups. The data for this research , Amhara, Tigray. Southern Nations, were collected from secondary sources such as Nationalities and Peoples Region, Afar, Somali, books, literature from websites, journals, and Benishangul-Gumuz, Gambella and Harari. The reports of ethnic conflict by different major ethnic groups are Oromo 34.4%, Amhara bodies/organizations . To investigate the root causes (Amara) 27%, Somali (Somalie) 6.2%, Tigray of ethnic conflicts of selected countries, the (Tigrinya) 6.1%, Sidama 4%, Gurage 2.5%, Welaita researcher focused on the instrumentalist view of 2.3%, Hadiya 1.7%, Afar (Affar) 1.7%, Gamo ethnicity by considering that the horn of Africa is 1.5%, Gedeo 1.3%, Silte 1.3%, Kefficho 1.2%, currently facing enter- ethnic conflict on this base. other 8.8% (2007 est.) Since the study is case-centered and social The occurrence of Inter-ethnic conflicts in Ethiopia phenomenon the researcher employed narration, dates back to the formation of the modern Ethiopian state at the turn of the 19th century, incorporating

International Journal of Contemporary Research and Review, Vol. 8, Issue. 12, Page no: SC 20337-20346 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.15520/ijcrr/2017/8/12/377 Page | 20338 Dita Tuse Causes Of Inter- Ethnic Conflict In The Greater Horn Of African Countries: The Case Of Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan And Uganda different ethnic groups found at various levels of was a border political dispute which can be social and economic development through the use considered as competition over resource (ibid). For of both forceful subjugation and peaceful example Boku T & Gufu O. (2009) research finding persuasion Merera, G (2011).This long history of reveals that, the cause of inter-ethnic conflicts conflict for economic or political reasons took a between and Somali pastoral groups different pattern and became more serious since the is the existence of incompatible systems for collapse of the monarchical system in 1974, making establishing rights over land: historical domain 'national integration' very difficult. Since the 1974 versus occupancy and usufruct rights. The revolution there has been a proliferation of articulations of the different claims have reflected liberation movements calling for either regional shifting alliances between local and state interests autonomy or outright secession from Ethiopia. over historical periods. Regional geopolitical Southeastern and northern Ethiopia in particular interests have framed the local conflicts between became areas racked by conflicts. Ethnic two pastoral groups. The conflicts between the insurgencies in Afar, Somali, and Eritrea made the Borana and Somali clans are largely attributable to viability of the Ethiopian state doubtful. Tigist the politics of land control, and the country’s K.(2014). political program of ethnic-based federalism has After 1991 the EPRDF government and its brought dynamism into an old inter-ethnic conflict proponents, response to the national question is the by giving it a new impetus. very basis of federalism in Ethiopia. Meanwhile, Gambella region also experienced inter ethnic- ethnic federalism has not resolved the national conflict that took place between Anyuaa and Nuer. question from the fact that ethnic conflicts are Abraham S 2002 study identified four important widened, transformed from the national to lower factors responsible for the escalating ethnic conflict structural levels. The competitive and hostile inter- in Gambella region. These include control over ethnic and intra-ethnic relationships are increasing scarce natural resources such as water and grazing from time to time specially with the ambition to land, the question of majority population in the control the administrative boundaries and region and what language should be taught in government budgets in addition to land and natural school, and, a general feeling or apprehension resources. Muhabie M 2015) and Abebaw Y.(2013). among Anyuaa that they are being dominated by the Habtamu. W.(2013). Confirm that, there have been pastoralist Nuers who enter Anyuaa territory in some conflicts between ethnic groups, bordering search of grazing land and water. These two ethnic regions and other social groups in the past several groups found both in Ethiopia and the Sudan. Other years Habtamu W.(2013). study conducted in this region by Temesgen G. The major post 1991 inter-ethnic conflicts observed (2013) showed that, the major defining moments in Ethiopia are: the Silte-Gurage conflict, the that transformed the conflict in between the Anyuaa Wagagoda language conflict, the Sheko-Megengir and Nuer were the Sudanese civil war and the conflict, the Anuak-Nuer conflict, the Berta-Gumuz political transformation in Ethiopia in the early conflict, and the Gedeo-Guji conflict, the Oromo- 1990. Both led to the regionalization of the conflict Amhara conflict, the Borana-Gerri conflict, the and to some extent, seem to have altered traditional Afar-Issa conflict, and the Oromo-Somali conflict. competition and rivalry. Today, the Nuer and the The principal causes of the post 1991 ethnic Anuak are competing for the political power and conflicts in Ethiopia were inequitable distributions ethnic entitlement. The political bureaucracy of economic, social, and political opportunities or compounded by weak institutions, such as rule of competition for resources and political power Lubo law and freedom from government expropriation, T (2012). and absence of quality civic societies in the making The causes of the Silte-Gurage conflict, the of conflict resolutions and conflict management has Wagagoda language conflict, the Sheko-Megengir made the area to be one of the fragile and politically conflict, the Anuak-Nuer conflict, the Berta-Gumuz sensitive areas in the Horn of Africa. conflict, and the Oromo-Amhara conflict were Inter- ethnic conflict also spread in campus among competitions over socio-political and socio- university students in Ethiopia Abebaw Y.2013 economic benefits. On the other hand, the causes of, stated that, most of the causes of ethnic conflicts the Gedeo-Guji conflict, the Borana-Gerri conflict, among students are related to the government and the Afar-Issa conflict were socio-cultural and political system that Ethiopia has been problems. What is more, the Oromo-Somali conflict exercising under different regimes. The major International Journal of Contemporary Research and Review, Vol. 8, Issue. 12, Page no: SC 20337-20346 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.15520/ijcrr/2017/8/12/377 Page | 20339 Dita Tuse Causes Of Inter- Ethnic Conflict In The Greater Horn Of African Countries: The Case Of Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan And Uganda causes of ethnic tension and conflicts among heterogeneous regions in the country and also one students include alleged marginalization, of the most agriculturally productive regions of the ordinary dispute between individuals, ethnic Kenya Musau B 2008. The attacks apparently are epithet, graffiti, problems outside the university. aimed at driving Kenya's biggest tribe, the Kikuyu, As recent incident that indicate continuity of inter off their land in the Rift Valley Province because ethnic conflict in Ethiopia, Africa news on they voted against President Daniel Arap Moi's 15/09 /2017 reported that, Ethnic clashes between Kenya African National Union party. Thousands of Ethiopia’s Oromo and Somali regional states have people who were displaced in 1991 during the escalated leading to reports of deaths and ethnic attacks against the Kikuyu and others had displacement in the respective regions. neither returned nor received any help from Moi's and government’s political interest. The university government Mwakikagile G .( 2007). could address some of the causes of ethnic During the time , the ruling party KANU dominated tension and conflict through educational by the Kalenjin from the Rift Valley Province – interventions, multicultural awareness creation, under the leadership of President Danie arap Moi and by developing and effectively implementing who was a Kalenjin himself – played a major role in rules and regulations. Yet, other causes, which are igniting the violence between different ethnic external to the groups which almost tore the country apart in order University, require cooperation among to consolidate its position and stay in power. The universities and government’s democratic result was bloodshed the country had never seen response to the prevalent and long existing ethnic- since Mau Mau. At least 3,000 people were killed related questio or severely wounded in the Rift Valley Province alone in 1992. The primary target were the Kikuyu Ethnic conflicts In Kenya: and other “foreigners” - Kenyans from other Kenya consists of 42 ethnic groups. The major provinces - who had settled in the Rift Valley ethnic groups are Kikuyu 22%, Luhya 14%, Province. The Kikuyu, who had moved and settled Luo 13%, Kalenjin 12%, Kamba 11%, Kisii there in large numbers, suffered the most (ibid). 6%, Meru 6%, other African 15%, non- Similarly, following the announcement of African (Asian, European, and Arab) 1%.The presidential election results on December 30, 2007, country is divided into the following eight major Kenya experienced the worst electoral violence administrative divisions known as provinces: since the inception of multiparty politics in 1992, Central, Eastern, , Rift Valley, Eastern, Western, leaving more than 1,100 people dead, 650,000 Nyanza, North Eastern and Nairobi. Provinces are displaced, and the country deeply divided. further divided into several districts Musau B Yego N. 2015 stated that Kenyan citizens fear as the (2008). outbreak of a fresh ethnic conflict like those that The problem of ethnicity, having emerged during rocked the country during the 1992 post-election the colonial period, has been progressively violence. Kenyans believe that the wave of inter- accentuated since independence with the emergence ethnic conflicts which took place at most of the of ethnicity as a factor in national politics. Ethnicity provinces were the worst since its independence in in Kenya became a national concern as early as 1963. As a result Kenyans now believe that during the colonial period but was accentuated in violence may arise during any future elections. the post-independence period during the Similarly Maweu .M.2017 also said that ,the implementation of the policy of Africanization. violence of 2007–2008 still casts a long shadow Ethnic tensions developed especially around the over the 2017 elections, and there is widespread structure of access to economic opportunities and fear and tension from within and outside the country redistribution of some of the land formerly owned in the face of the increasingly inflammatory by the white settlers. Most of the land in question political rhetoric, fake news, and political was in the Rift Valley province and was historically propaganda from the two main political camps: the settled by the Kalenjin and the Maasai Oyugi.O. Jubilee Party of the incumbent President Uhuru (2000) Kenyatta and the National Super Alliance (NASA) Conflict between ethnic groups increased in Kenya of the main opposition leader Raila Odinga.It can following the 1991 reintroduction of multiparty therefore be observed that political mobilization in elections .The conflicts started in the Rift Valley Kenyan politics has always been informed by ethnic province of Kenya; one of the most ethnically consciousness rather than ideological International Journal of Contemporary Research and Review, Vol. 8, Issue. 12, Page no: SC 20337-20346 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.15520/ijcrr/2017/8/12/377 Page | 20340 Dita Tuse Causes Of Inter- Ethnic Conflict In The Greater Horn Of African Countries: The Case Of Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan And Uganda consciousness. A politician’s political affiliation is communities receive limited amounts of rainfall and largely determined by ethnic belonging and party this limits the availability of pasture and farm politics is nothing more than representing “your products. This leads to movements in search of people’s” interests. Electoral process is by and large scarce resources elsewhere bringing the determined by affiliation to the “right” party— communities in an inevitable conflict as the rules of naturally, the party led by one of the community’s entry and sharing among the communities are not own political “big wigs.” This is so critical that observed. even the most popular politician will have difficulty In addition their study farther showed that Tigania being elected if he or she stands on the ticket of a and Tharaka border land is a complex site in which party associated and led by a “rival” ethnic conflicts occur frequently. The recent creation of community Maweu .M.J,2017. new administrative districts in the greater Meru As feared by Kenyan citizens, the Independent news region has created an environment for eruption of on Wednesday 9 August 2017 reported that, fresh disputes. The fact that communities are left for Kenya's election took an ominous turn as violent long periods to pursue bounder disputes without the protests erupted in the capital and elsewhere after government intervening to declare firmly where opposition leader Raila Odinga alleged fraud, demarcations are politicizes the whole process. saying hackers used the identity of a murdered Governance also found to be another major official to infiltrate the database of the country's contributor of conflicts in this region. The election commission and manipulate results. Soon communities claimed that since independence, the after Odinga spoke on television, angry protesters in districts have been marginalized because they lack slums of Nairobi and the opposition stronghold of adequate basic social amenities like hospitals, Kisumu in the southwest burned tires, set up schools. For instance, the districts have poor roadblocks and clashed with police.Many parts of infrastructure without a single meter of mtarmac Kenya, East Africa's commercial hub, were calm a road, an indication of marginalization. day after the elections for president and more than Musau .B. (2008) identified the following root 1,800 other posts down to the county level. But the causes of ethnic conflicts in Kenya i.e. unresolved violence stirred memories of the unrest following land grievances, colonial legacy, electoral the 2007 vote in which more than 1,000 people competition and fraud, The majimbo rhetoric or were killed. regional federalism based on ethnicity, fear of Apart from politicized election in line with ethnicity domination by immigrant groups, the growing as cause for ethnic conflict, empirical researches culture of impunity , poverty and exclusion showed experiences of frequent inter –ethnic (marginalization), and Spillover effect of regional conflicts in Kenya. For example Diba . I.Y.(2015) conflict. noted that, the Northern part of Kenya is infamous Ethnic conflicts in South Sudan: for the frequent conflicts and counter conflicts as communities are pitied against each other since the The Republic of South Sudan is the newest nation pre-colonial times. He conducted research on located in northeastern Africa, bordering with Gabra and Dassanetch ethnic conflict and found Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, the Democratic out that the causes of frequent conflicts between the Republic of the Congo and the Central African Gabra and the Dassanetch are competition for Republic. The major ethnic groups are Dinka scarce natural resources, mostly water and pasture. 35.8%, Nuer 15.6%, Shilluk, Azande, Bari, Kakwa, The conflict was escalated by creation of arbitrary Kuku, Murle, Mandari, Didinga, Ndogo, Bviri, boundaries by the colonial power which affected the Lndi, Anuak, Bongo, Lango, Dungotona, Acholi, traditional grazing arrangements enjoyed by the Baka, Fertit (2011 est.) communities. Increased household vulnerability, Historically, Sudan has suffered various internal bad governance, and weak socio-cultural capital conflicts and civil wars that have resulted in the have also come into play in escalating the violence. secession of the southern region of Sudan, Other researchers, Mworia L. and . NdikuJ.M 2012 becoming the newest nation of the world in the 9th also investigates leading cause of conflict between of July 2011 EMUN (2017). This civil war between Tigania and Tharaka communities and their result North and South Sudan helped to produce a reveals that, competition for limited natural collective perception of social, cultural, and resources such as pasture, water and land. The political identity - known as “South Sudanese” – regions occupied by the Tigania and Tharaka where the population thought of themselves as a International Journal of Contemporary Research and Review, Vol. 8, Issue. 12, Page no: SC 20337-20346 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.15520/ijcrr/2017/8/12/377 Page | 20341 Dita Tuse Causes Of Inter- Ethnic Conflict In The Greater Horn Of African Countries: The Case Of Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan And Uganda homogenous society. Ethnic variations, cultural party, the weak institutional restraints on excessive diversity, and ethnic divides along 65 ethno-tribal power in the hands of a few individuals, lack of groups were not considered to be a ticking time adherence to the party constitution, and the growing bomb if not managed carefully in the nation number of factions and power centers within the building plan Kon M (2015). SPLM. The second one is Political and Socio- According South Sudan Protection Cluster economic Factors i.e. The history of the liberation workshop report (2014), the Republic of South process induced ethnic rivalry and poor provision of Sudan, three years into its independence, has social services make for a deadly combination. The suffered a tremendous political and social upheaval report also indicated that disproportionately higher as divisions within the ruling party, the Sudan representation of the ethnic Nuers in the army is Peoples’ Liberation Movement, and fragmentation other key issue that could have contributed to the of its army, has turned into major violence violence. engulfing significant parts of the country. This The process of absorbing the large number of ethnic violence spread across the young nation like armed groups basically resulted into Nuer-led wildfire, displacing 413,000 civilians in just the first armed groups constituting a tribal majority in the month of conflict. Tens of thousands of civilians SPLA. Some of these troops continued to maintain rushed to seek refuge in U.N. bases that were loyalty to their ethnic Nuer Commanders including subsequently turned into makeshift displacement Riek Machar. On the other hand, the SPLA also camps Quick facts (2014). consists of professional soldiers mainly from Dinka The Nuer-Dinka difference has dated back to the era tribe and other tribes including also Nuer who are of civil war where they were fighting the North. loyal to Salva Kiir as the legitimate Head of State Though Nuer and Dinka had cooperated in fighting and Commander-in-Chief of the SPLA. Therefore, their common enemy, they had no smooth relation. when the political dispute within the SPLM During the North-South civil war SPLM cracked translated into fighting , consciously or down as a result of power competition between unconsciously, the two groups found themselves in John Garang an ethnic Dinka, leader of SPLM, and opposite sides fighting each other and trading his deputy, Riek Machar from Nuer ethnic group accusations and counter-accusations mainly that the (Koos and Gutschke 2014: 1). Dinka massacred Nuer in Juba and more precisely This inherent hostility resulted in political friction in Munuki 107 residential Area and that the Dinka within SPLM, between Kiir who is an ethnic Dinka were massacred in Bor, Akobo, Bentiu, and and Machar from Nuer is one of the principal Malakal. Initial reports of ethnic massacres seem to factors which lead to the outbreak of the latest have been the reason why at the early stage the violence in South Sudan. Kiir and Machar disagree conflict quickly assumed an ethnic dimension on the matter who should head the party in 2015. although the two fighting forces deny this. It is this Both individuals announced their respective interest ethnic dimension of the conflict which is most to run for presidency in the election to be held in worrying and if not resolved could lead to national 2015 Endalcachew B.(2014) .Salva Kiir Mayaradit calamity with genocide a possibility given the fact accused Riek Machar of planning a coup d’ êtat In that both the Nuer and Dinka are large groups with 2013. Although Machar denied it, he was dismissed heavily armed groups SSHRC (Dec.15, 2013 – from his position in government. What was a Mar. 15, 2014) . political problem turned into a civil war. Machar In relation to leadership and governance problem fled into exile. The SPLA split into the SPLA and Kon .M. (2015) noted that independence of South the SPLA-IO. While it is true that both factions are Sudan did not affect anticipated change in citizens’ from different ethnicities, and many massacres were welfare nor strengthen political will to eradicate done under the justification of ethnic cleansing, it is discrimination, marginalization and injustice. In not that simple to classify this conflict as an ethnical addition to winning the title of a fail state, South war. Both sides have supporters from the opposite Sudan track record for the last ten years has proven ethnicity, which adds up to the complexity of the dismal in terms of tribalism, human rights abuses, issue EMUN (2017). . corruption, as well as social disorder in all of its ten As driving factors for South Sudan crisis, the sound states. institute (2014) report indicates the following The global center for the responsibility to protect on points. The first one is Political Malfeasants in the 15 May 2017 reported that, despite the August 2015 SPLM which refers to power structure within the peace agreement, ongoing armed conflict in South International Journal of Contemporary Research and Review, Vol. 8, Issue. 12, Page no: SC 20337-20346 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.15520/ijcrr/2017/8/12/377 Page | 20342 Dita Tuse Causes Of Inter- Ethnic Conflict In The Greater Horn Of African Countries: The Case Of Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan And Uganda Sudan poses a direct threat to populations who are ,Uganda Bureau of Statistics( 2016).Uganda is an being targeted on the basis of ethnicity and ethnically very diverse country, with over 57 ethnic presumed political loyalties. In the same line, groups recognized by the national Constitution. The Assessment Capacities Project report on 16 Mar major ethnic groups are Baganda 16.5%, 2017 showed that Since July 2016, the political Banyankole 9.6%, Basoga 8.8%, Bakiga 7.1%, Iteso situation has been highly unstable amid increasing 7%, Langi 6.3%, Bagisu 4.9%, Acholi 4.4%, concerns about government attempts to target non- Lugbara 3.3%, other 32.1% (2014 est.) This ethnic Dinka and promote Dinka domination. President diversity comes as a vital force for manipulation in Kiir has dismissed a number of government figures, political circles, and in competition for increasingly including Equatorians. And there have been regular scarce resources, especially land. The scarcity of defections from Kiir’s government to the resources is mainly catalyzed by rapid demographic opposition, and from the opposition to the shifts, with Uganda’s population growing at a rate government. Defections to the opposition and of 3.5% a year Sentongo S.J. 2011. For purpose of resignation from the government over its administration Uganda is divided into four regions, ethnicisation of state institutions increased in the Northern Region, the Central Region, the February. On 11 February, the Deputy Head of Eastern Region and the Western Region, and Logistics of the South Sudanese army, who subdivided into 111 districts, One World Nations originates from the Equatorias, resigned and Online (2017), accused President Kiir and the military leadership Uganda, along with a number of other African of promoting Dinka domination. He claimed that states, is a state struggling with the task of bringing the army has been targeting non-Dinka. In the two together a vast range of ethnic minority groups into weeks that followed, another three high-ranking one nation-state decided by geographical borders military officials, as well as the South Sudanese drawn by colonial masters Britain during Labour Minister, resigned and criticised Kiir’s imperialism Tornberg H.(2012)The Republic of government for bias and crimes based on ethnicity Uganda, a small sub-Saharan African country, has As a consequence of conflict, the Sudd Institute in seen a history of extreme violence and ethnic its report of (August 3, 2014) stated that, since the conflict Quinn1 J.(R.2004 ). As root causes of inter outbreak of violence in December 2013, a large –ethnic conflict, findings of empirical research on section of South Sudanese population has been inter ethnic conflict in Uganda pointed their arrow displaced, especially in the Upper Nile region, back toward British rule era .For example Kizito. A. which covers the states of Jonglei, Upper Nile, and (2015) stated that, the British with the divide-and- Unity. The conflict took a brutal ethnic dimension Rule produced through decentralized despotism a immediately leading to the massacres of unknown state that got entangle in racism, and widespread number of civilians largely from the Nuer and tribalism with Buganda chiefs very instrumental in Dinka nationalities. In addition to continued consolidating British rule in the rest of Uganda, population displacement, ongoing insecurity and which intensified ethnic cleavages and conflicts. economic desperation have led to increasing violent The British economic policies led to the incidents targeting humanitarian personnel and underdevelopment of the local industries and assets—limiting access to some populations in need stifling of the private sector and thus bringing about and exacerbating existing vulnerabilities. Relief the racial tensions between the Indians and actors reported 100 humanitarian access incidents in Africans. The colonial policies further exacerbated South Sudan in June, representing the highest regional inequalities where production and wealth number of incidents recorded in a single month in were effectively concentrated in the south while the 2017 to date, and a continuation of increased north was used as labour reservoir and later looting in July USAID (2017). soldiers, thus the famous “south and north fault line”. Ethnic conflicts in Uganda: Other researcher, Bayne .S.(2007) also declared Uganda is located in East Africa and lies across the that, since independence in 1962, Uganda has equator, about 800 kilometers inland from the experienced a history of conflicts and uprisings Indian Ocean. The country is landlocked, bordered where violence has been used to assume and often by Kenya in the East; South Sudan in the North; to retain power. This history of conflict is linked to Democratic Republic of Congo in the West; a British colonial legacy of deep-rooted divisions Tanzania in the South; and Rwanda in South West between the North and South of the country. The International Journal of Contemporary Research and Review, Vol. 8, Issue. 12, Page no: SC 20337-20346 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.15520/ijcrr/2017/8/12/377 Page | 20343 Dita Tuse Causes Of Inter- Ethnic Conflict In The Greater Horn Of African Countries: The Case Of Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan And Uganda policy of focusing production and wealth in the Conflict assessment report by USID 2017 showed South whilst using the North as a reservoir for the continuity of conflict in different regions of military personnel, as well as a period of indirect Uganda. The report indicates the case of Lamwo colonial rule through the Buganda, contributed to district in northern region in which more than ethnic and religious tensions and regional twenty five thousand (25,000) refugees and a new disparities. Successive post-colonial governments refugee camp has been set up in the area. These have further manipulated ethnic and religious incidents are causing animosity between the divisions. refugees and host communities who believe the Colonialism worked along ethnic stereotypes in refugees are abusing their hospitality- In Eastern which some tribes were viewed as honest - and Region long standing land conflict between Soroti therefore fit for public service, some aggressive - University and the surrounding community of and therefore fit for the army, and others like the Apuuton Village in Arapai Sub County in Soroti Baganda were granted a superior status above district and in western Region ethnic tension others. In this way the politics of ethnic between Rukiga- Banyoro are major evidence in manipulation was entrenched into the consciousness the country. of post-independence leaders. Besides the inherited Conclusion and Recommendation: rivalry, even after independence ethnicity has remained a significant card to be played for This paper presented causes of inter-ethnic conflict advantage Sentongo S.J. (2011). For example in in the greater horn of Africa based on study findings Kibaale, one of the ethnically tense districts in and different reports. Uganda, the native Banyoro been in violent The results showed that, the legacy of past regimes opposition to leadership by non-Banyoro in their of respective state and colonizers with exception of local government since 2002. The argument is over Ethiopia, in which they divided and favor certain whether the Banyoro should exclusively occupy all group or regions and marginalize others still top positions in the area since the area historically contributes a lot for occurrence inter-ethnic conflict belongs to them. In fact in July 2009, such ring- in the greater horn of Africa. fencing was also suggested by the president of Secondly ,complexity of border demarcation Uganda, Yoweri Museveni, as a solution to between administrative division like regions and Kibaale’s problems. His suggestion only helped to districts seen as one motive that played role for polarise the warring groups farther (ibid) frequent occurrence of inter-ethnic conflict in the According to save world report 2010, the karamoja greater horn region. region of north eastern Uganda also suffered high Good Governance problem is also found to be levels of conflict and insecurity for decades, another major contributor of inter-ethnic conflicts in alongside low levels of development and serious this region. Marginalized ethnic challenges to individual well-being. Apart from groups/regions/districts claimed for equal being affected at certain points by the conflict opportunity in all aspects. between the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and the Other common problem that scholars study findings Government of Uganda, groups living in Karamoja showed is competitions over socio-political and have also been involved in cycles of cattle raiding socio-economic benefits under cover of ethnic and counterraiding. At various times, pastoralist or group. semi-pastoralist groups living across the border in The evidences farther showed that, inter ethnic Kenya and Sudan have also actively participated in conflict in the greater horn of Africa scarlet after these attacks independency, exercising of multi-party system and The post-colonial leaders did not work out to federation. This implies that leaders unable to play correct these political, social and economic the game of democracy in diversified society distortions the colonialists created but instead The overall problem of inter-ethnic conflict in the inherited and nurtured this weed of division (ethnic greater horn of Africa is threat for future incompatibility). Kizito A. 2015. As result Uganda coexistence of society and may leads to complex has been one of many post-colonial states in which insurrection that destroy state sovereignty . a system of violent politics and armed mobilizations All state endowed with multi -ethnic group in the have come to be recognized as legitimate ways of greater horn of Africa should prioritize proportional accessing political power Tornberg H.2012. representation of their ethnic groups during decision

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