Addis Ababa University School of Psychology Ethnic Conflict and Its Management in Pastoralist Communities: The Case of Guji and Borana Zones of Oromia National Regional State, 1970-2014 A thesis Submitted to the Graduate School of Psychology of Addis Ababa University in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Social Psychology Gololcha Balli June, 2015 i Addis Ababa University School of Psychology Ethnic Conflict and Its Management in Pastoralist Communities: The Case of Guji and Borana Zones of Oromia National Regional State, 1970-2014 By Gololcha Balli Approved by Board of Examiners __________________________ ________ ___________ Chairperson, Department Graduate Date Signatuture Committee _________________________ __________ __________ Advisor Date Signature _______________________ __________ ____________ Internal Examiner Date Signature _________________ _________ __________ External Examiner Date Signature ii Dedication I would like to dedicate this work to all members of conflicting ethnic groups who lost their lives as victims of ethnic conflicts which were the results of illiteracy, power dominance based oppressions, dehumanization and marginalization practiced for a long time grievances among groups. Particularly, it is dedicated to Borana Qalu, Tuto Anna (spiritual leader), who was killed by Guji during Oditu war, which made genocide upon all Oditu gada council. Another is Hanku Dawe (Guji gada leader), who was kidnapped by Borana during Haratu Hara war that made genocide as well upon Guji gada council led by Hanku Dawe . 0 Acknowledgements The successful completion of this work is a result of the various contributions from the committed and supportive individuals and Organizations. First, I am very much indebted to my advisor Professor Habtamu Wondimu for his invaluable and constructive comments, provision of the reading materials that greatly enriched the work. Thanks also go to the Addis Ababa University School of Psychology graduate committee of 2015, for allowing me to finalize this thesis which was supposed to be last year. Again I would like to extend thanks to my home NGOs, DUBAF and GIRDA for their financial support during data collection and 10 days study leave permit during final submission of this work respectively. I forward my deepest gratitude and heartfelt appreciation to all my informants who gave me time to respond and discuss on my research questions. I would also like to express my heartfelt thanks to Dr Tadesse Bariso, and Monenus Hundara Galata for their encouragements and support with reading materials, and my fiancée Yadashi Tesfaye for her congruent motivations from the beginning to end of the work. Last but not least, special appreciation is to my brothers Kulunde and Tuke Tise for their full sponsorship to carry out the study. Thank you very much for making my life full of the happiness and learning. i Table of Contents Title Page Acknowledgements .............................................................................................................. i Table of Contents ................................................................................................................. i Acronmys .............................................................................................................................v Glossary of Local Terms .................................................................................................... vi Abstract .............................................................................................................................. ix Chapter One Introduction ..........................................................................................................................1 1.1.Background of the Study ............................................................................................1 1.2.Statement of the Problem ...........................................................................................3 1.3.Objectives of the Study ..............................................................................................5 1.3.1 General Objective ............................................................................................... 5 1.3.2 Specific Objectives ............................................................................................. 5 1.4.Research Question ......................................................................................................6 1.5.Significance of the Study ...........................................................................................6 1.6.Scope of the Study......................................................................................................6 1.7.Limitation of the Study ..............................................................................................7 1.8.Operational Definitions ..............................................................................................6 Chapter Two Literature Review.................................................................................................................8 2.1.Conflict .......................................................................................................................8 2.2.Concepts of Conflict and its Causes ...........................................................................9 2.3.Theories of Conflict .................................................................................................10 2.3.1. Identity Theory of Conflict ............................................................................... 10 2.3.2 .Structural Conflict Theory ................................................................................ 12 2.3.3 . Human (Basic) Needs Theory ......................................................................... 12 2.3.4 .Enemy System Theory ...................................................................................... 13 2.4.Ethnicity and Ethnic Conflict ...................................................................................15 2.5.Trends of Ethnic Conflict in Ethiopia ......................................................................17 2.6.Ethnic Conflict in Pastoral Setting ...........................................................................17 2.7.Conflict Management and Its Approaches ...............................................................18 2.7.1. Conflict Management Mechanisms .................................................................. 20 2.7.2 .Conflict Management Institutions in Ethiopia .................................................. 23 2.7.3 .Indigenous Conflict Management Institutions ................................................. 23 2.7.4. Formal Conflict Management Institutions ....................................................... 25 ii Chapter Three Method ...............................................................................................................................28 3.1.Research Design ..................................................................................................... 28 3.2.Study Area ................................................................................................................28 3.3.Population.................................................................................................................28 3.4.Sample and Sampling Technique .............................................................................29 3.5.Sources of Data ........................................................................................................29 3.6.Instruments of Data Collection ................................................................................30 3.6.1. Key Informants Interviews ............................................................................... 30 3.6.2 .Focus Group Discussion ................................................................................... 30 3.6.3 .Personal Observation ........................................................................................ 31 3.6.4 .Document Analysis ........................................................................................... 31 3.7.Method of Data Analysis .........................................................................................32 3.8.Procedure ..................................................................................................................32 3.9.Ethical Consideration ...............................................................................................33 3.9.1. Informed Consent. ........................................................................................... 33 3.9.2. Privacy and Confidentiality. ............................................................................ 33 Chapter Four Data Analysis .....................................................................................................................34 4.1.The Ethnic Groups Relationships in Historical Back Ground Perspectives ............34 4.1.1. The Borana ....................................................................................................... 35 4.1.2. The Guji ............................................................................................................ 35 4.1.3. The Gabra ......................................................................................................... 38 4.1.4. The Garri .......................................................................................................... 40 4.1.5.