ADDIS ABABA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES INSTITUTE FOR PEACE AND SECURITY STUDIES (IPSS) INTER-ETHNIC CONFLICT IN SOUTH WESTERN ETHIOPIA: THE CASE OF ALLE AND KONSO BY BANTAYEHU DEMISSEW ENEYEW JUNE, 2016 ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA i INTER-ETHNIC CONFLICT IN SOUTH WESTERN ETHIOPIA: THE CASE OF ALLE AND KONSO BY BANTAYEHU DEMISSEW ENEYEW ADDIS ABABA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES INSTITUTE FOR PEACE AND SECURITY STUDIES (IPSS) A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES, INSTITUTE FOR PEACE AND SECURITY STUDIES (IPSS) OF ADDIS ABABA UNIVERSITY IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS IN PEACE AND SECURITY STUDIES JUNE, 2016 ADDIS ABABA ii ADDIS ABABA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES INSTITUTE FOR PEACE AND SECURITY STUDIES (IPSS) INTER-ETHNIC CONFLICT IN SOUTH WESTERN ETHIOPIA: THE CASE OF ALLE AND KONSO BY BANTAYEHU DEMISSEW ENEYEW APPROVED BY BOARD OF EXAMINERS ------------------------------------ ------------------------ ---------------------- ADVISOR SIGNATURE DATE ------------------------------------ ------------------------ ---------------------- INTERNAL EXAMINER SIGNATURE DATE ------------------------------------ ------------------------ ---------------------- EXTERNAL EXAMINER SIGNATURE DATE ------------------------------------ ------------------------ ---------------------- DIRECTOR OF IPSS SIGNATURE DATE iii Dedication This thesis is dedicated to those both Alle and Konso individuals who were victims of the inter- ethnic conflict. Particularly, for those Alle and Konso ethnic group members who lost their life and were imprisoned in connection to the 2011 and 2014 violent conflicts. Finally, this work is dedicated to those Konso individuals who were killed on 12th March 2016 (during the researcher’s field work) by the Regional security forces because of their quest for Konso Zone administration status. Thus, I want to express my deepest condolences to victims’ families. iv Acknowledgements First and for most, I would like to express my special gratitude to my advisor Habtamu Wondimu (Professor), not only for his academic and professional guidance and assistance throughout the work of this thesis, but also his guidance when I had faced difficulties while I was in the fieldwork. Moreover, his helpfulness enabled me to share an experience as a fellow of Avantha International Fellowship, 2015. I also show my gratitude towards Yonas Adaye (Dr.) for his valuable advice when I faced challenges during data collection. My earnest thanks also goes to all research participants of Segen Area People’s Zone, Alle and Konso Woredas for crucial role they played in the process of collecting data. Moreover, I am indebted to all field and telephone interview assistants for their help during data collection. I am thankful to the Addis Ababa University (AAU), IPSS for financial and administrative support during the fieldwork activity and Arba Minch College of Teachers Education for financing my education at AAU. My heartfelt gratitude also goes to all Ananta Centre staff members who shared their experience of doing research/thesis and writing articles. Likewise, my gratitude goes to Avantha fellow friends (Mr. Akmal Atkhamov (PHD student at National University of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Uzbekistan), Mr. Hamdi Echkaou (Fulbright Scholar & PHD student at Mohamed V University, Rabat, Morocco) and Orachorn Saechang (Masters Student at University of Zhejiang, Hangzhou, China) for their critical comments significantly added value on my work in a way that makes my future academic prospect more brighter. Most significantly I am very thankful to Mr. Akmal Atkhamov for his valuable review, comments and editing of my final MA thesis. I would like to extend my special thanks to my family members (Birhanie, Abebaw, Tizeta and Netsanet) and to my best friends and workmates (Wondwossen Ayalew, Tadyos Getahun, Guita Kusse, Girma Mengesha, Masresha Getahun, Tewodross Fantahun, Lema Tadesse, Ayele Feyssa, Tefera Kegnalew, Andualem Sakamo and Fekadu Seyum) for the inspiration and motivation they gave me during the process of this work. Last but not least, my deepest thank also goes to my MA classmates (GB, MT, AT and MS) at AAU, IPSS for their moral and psychological support during the field work as well as for their sincere and cordial relations that we enjoy in the academic years. NB: The author is exclusively responsible for all faults that reader may find out in this thesis. i Table of Contents Contents Page Acknowledgements ...................................................................................................................... i List of Tables ............................................................................................................................ vi List of Figures ............................................................................................................................ vi List of Maps ............................................................................................................................... vi List of Appendices ..................................................................................................................... vi List of Acronyms and Abbreviations ........................................................................................ vii Glossary of Terms ................................................................................................................... viii Abstract ...................................................................................................................................... ix Chapter One Introduction ..................................................................................................... 1 1.1.Background of the Study ............................................................................................... 1 1.2.Statement of the Problem .............................................................................................. 2 1.3.Research Questions ....................................................................................................... 5 1.4. Objectives of the Study ................................................................................................ 5 1.4.1. General objective ............................................................................................ 5 1.4.2. Specific Objectives ......................................................................................... 5 1.5. Significance of the Study ............................................................................................. 5 1.6. Scope/Delimitation of the Study .................................................................................. 6 1.7. Limitation/Challenges of the Study .............................................................................. 6 1.8.Operational Definitions of Terms .................................................................................7 1.9.Organization of the Thesis............................................................................................7 ii Chapter Two Conceptual and Theoretical Framework & Review of Related Literature . 8 2.1.Conceptual and Theoretical Frameworks ......................................................................... 8 2.1.1. Concepts and Definitions of Conflict, Ethnicity, Ethnic Identity, Ethnic Group and Ethnic Conflict.......................................................................... 8 2.1.2. Conceptual Framework of the Context, Causes, Actors and Dynamics of Ethnic Conflict ................................................................................................ 13 2.1.3. Theoretical Perspectives on Ethnicity and Ethnic conflict .................................. 14 2.2.Review of Related Literatures ........................................................................................ 20 2.2.1. What Causes Ethnic Conflicts? ............................................................................ 20 2.2.2. Politicization of Ethnicity and Ethnic Mobilization ........................................... 25 2.2.3. Ethnic Conflicts in Africa and the Horn in Particular ......................................... 27 2.2.4. Ethiopia: Ethnic Federalism and Ethnic Conflicts .............................................. 28 2.2.5. The Consequences of Ethnic Conflicts ................................................................ 30 Chapter Three Research Methodology and Fieldwork Experience ........................................ 31 3.1. Introduction .................................................................................................................. 31 3.2. Research Design........................................................................................................... 31 3.3. Sources of Data ............................................................................................................ 31 3.4. Instruments of Data Collection .................................................................................... 32 3.4.1 In-depth Interview ........................................................................................... 32 3.4.2 Telephone Interview ....................................................................................... 32 3.4.3 Focus Group Discussion (FGD) ...................................................................... 33 3.4.4 Document Analysis ........................................................................................ 33 3.5.Sampling Technique