Thesis on traditional conflict resolution

it explains the traditional conflict resolution of konso people

1. TRADITIONAL CONFLICT RESOLUTION PRACTICES, CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES: IN THE CASE OF KONSO ZONE MSC THESIS BY: ABEBECH ADANE ADVISOR – V.P.SAM PHONNIAH ( Associate professor) October, 2025 Arbaminch Ethiopia

2. Background of the study Conflict is defined as an incompatibility of interest or values between two or more parties in a relationship, united with challenges to control each other and aggressive feeling toward each other. Since a conflict is predictable and a part of human life always the importance should be given to the way we deal with the conflict (Fisher, 2000) Bokari (2013) reveals that the biggest challenge confronting human nature is not occurrence of conflict, but how these conflicts are fully resolved According to Rabar and Karimi (2004), indigenous conflict resolution mechanisms in Africa are generally closely bound with socio-cultural realities and the lifestyles of the communities

3. - I n the African society there are many customary dispute settlement institutions, such as Diya in sudan , somalia and chad, J udiyya in south Sudan, Abunzi mediators in Rwanda are some of customary disputes settlement mechanisms found in the Africa societies ( Mutisi , 1999 ) Ethiopians, as a people with rich ancient wisdom like their African counterparts have been employing their own indigenous conflict resolution methods in the process of settling conflicts. Konso zone is one of the Zones in the Southern Regional State of Ethiopia, which has its own indigenous conflict resolution method ( Bekele , 2021).

4. Background of the study-- The indigenous people of Konso have various institutions that deals with the matter related with social, economic and political affairs of the entire community, mostly conflict or disputes are solved under traditional system called < DEKHA>.

5. Statement of the Problem The magnitude of conflict and social instability in Ethiopia is high (EHRC, 2021). Amnesty international annual report of 2022 shows that more than five million Ethiopians were displaced from their homeland and thousands of people were killed due to conflict and war. Massive properties were destroyed. The same is true in Konso even if the magnitude of conflict is low as supported by ( Asnake , 2023 ).

6. - Tsegaye (2017) identified that the political motive and justification for providing uniform and modern legal system in Ethiopia compromised traditional conflict resolution method . Fiseha (2013) highlighted that traditional /indigenous/ conflict resolution method resulted in human rights violation, male dominated and exclusion of women from decision making, allow discriminatory practices and traditional harmful traditional practices.

7. Statement of the Problem ----- However, According to Bill (2017) traditional conflict resolution method is easily accessible and affordable to local peoples. Wakgari et.al (2022) showed that indigenous conflict management method is less complicated, less time consuming and participatory in nature taking place in conflict area. Even though different studies were conducted on conflict resolution practices (such as Kostovicova , 2018, Jansen, 2013, Subotic , 2015, Dzuverovic , 2020, Haider , 2021), the role of youth in conflict resolution was neglected.

8. Statement of the Problem ----- Even though youth are in forefronts in conflict and war, they are ignored and undermined during conflict resolution time. youth participation in peace building is critical because they bring fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and energy to the table. He added that young people are more likely to be open minded and willing to challenge traditional norms and practices that perpetuate conflict ( mohammed , 2020).

9. Statement of the Problem ----- The advent of modernity, the diverse ethnic composition, urbanization and diffusion of western cultures challenged traditional conflict resolution practices. On the other hand, high cost, corruption, lack of good governance system and concentration of conflict resolution institution challenged legal conflict resolution practices ( Okil , 2019).

10. 1.3 Objective of the Study 1.3.1. General Objective of the Study The main objective of the study was to examine the practice, challenges and opportunities of traditional conflict resolution practices in Konso Zone. 1.3.2 . Specific objectives: The study has the following specific objectives: To compare and contrast traditional conflict management mechanisms with legal conflict resolution method To explore the role of youth in traditional conflict management system To determine challenges and opportunities of indigenous conflict management practice in Konso Zone

11. 1.4 Research Questions This study tried to answer the following research questions 1/ what are the difference between traditional conflict management method and legal conflict resolution method in Konso . 2/ what are the roles of youth in indigenous conflict management practice in Konso ? 3/ what are the challenges and opportunities of indigenous conflict management practice in Konso Zone?

12. 1.5 Significance of the study The findings of this study would give a brief, reliable and state-of-the-art account on the role of indigenous conflict resolution practices in study area provide some information to the government and non-governmental bodies on the role of indigenous conflict resolution practices in the study area. the public organizations may consider it as the reference in promoting the indigenous values of the people in general and the mechanism of indigenous conflict resolution in particular.

13. 1.6 Scope of the Study The study was conducted on the role of traditional conflict resolution practices in Konso Zone focusing on difference between traditional and legal conflict resolution practices, the role of youth in conflict management, challenges of conflict resolution practices and opportunities of conflict resolution practice. Geographically this study was limited to Konso ethnic group found in southern Ethiopia. The study explored traditional conflict management practices of Konso peolpe . It followed qualitative research approach and used descriptive research design

14. 1.7 Limitation of study Language transition problem Selecting proper research methodology Lack of researcher experience Scattered respondents residence in study area Unsuitable weather condition during data collection

15. 3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 3.1 Research Design This study was guided by a cross sectional descriptive research design. Qualitative research approaches were used in this study . 3.2 Population of the study E lder members of the community, religious leaders, youth and local authorities are population of the study

16. 3.3 Sampling Techniques a multi-stage sampling method was used to selected sample from total population. In the first stage, Konso zone was clustered in to four study sites, namely Karat town, Karat Zuria woreda , Kena woreda and Segen Zuria woreda . In the second stage, four kebeles out of 42 kepeles was purposively selected based on frequent occurrence of war and conflict with neighbor kebeles . In the third stage, snow ball method was used to select key informant Elders, youth, government officials and religious leaders.

17. 3.4 Sources of Data B oth primary and secondary sources of data were used. Primary data was collected from key informants, elders and religious leaders. Primary data is collected using semi-structured interview, Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and by observing Written documents of conflict resolution in Konso , from academic articles, books, thesis, journals, unpublished government reports, magazines and different internet are secondary sources of data.

18. 3.5 Data Collection Tools and Procedures Purposive sampling technique was used to select the participants from elders and police officers . Semi-structured interviews was prepared and used to collect information from local authorities. In addition Focus Group Discussion (FGD) was employed to collect data from community elders . Participant observation was used.

19. 3.5 Methods of Data Analysis Qualitative data analysis method was used in this study. Based on the objective of the study and research questions raised, thematic areas for discussion was identified and arranged . The data was analyzed by employing descriptive analysis and interpretation method.

20. RESULT AND DISCUSSION Conflict is one of common social life in Konso community. In Konso zone, Conflicts happened in the community due to different factors are solved by three ways; indigenous or traditional way, in religious method and legal or municipal method . In this study, traditional and legal system of conflict resolution is compared, the role of youth in conflict resolution was also presented and challenges and opportunities of traditional conflict resolution was discussed.

21. Conflict management practices in Konso Key informants indicate that any conflict arises between two or more individual and social groups firstly handled by local elders. They showed that conflicts are traditionally solved at different levels based on the magnitude of conflict and level of participants in conflict. Key informants indicated that conflicts between two individuals and households are solved with in specified house in which both conflicting parties can have freedom to speak and exercise their democratic right.

22. Conflict management practices -- In individual or household conflict resolution method, two to four elders are enough to solve the conflict. Elders have only mediating role in conflict resolution of individuals or households . If conflict between two individuals or within households are not solved by elders or beyond elders, the issue is brought to clan leaders to discuss in detail and the one who broken the law or custom are penalized The type and level of penalty imposed depends on paying capacity of individuals, future social solidarity and to be lesson learned by other individuals

23. -- As household members are connected by blood lines, economically and social life, conflict between family members should not be escalated . Key informants indicated that indigenous conflict resolution mechanism between villages or clans are based on societal norms, neighbor relationship and future community coexistence . Conflicts between villages or clans are solved on public place ((Mora)) or on boundary between two villages.

24. --- The selected elders to solve conflict and clan leaders opened the discussion and fist allow the victim to speak openly all crimes, disputes to be heard by participants. Clan leaders and elders clearly hear both parties and ask questions and discussion for clear information. Indigenous conflict resolution method is necessary for the re-establishment of social relationship or bringing together of the society in general and conflicting parties in particular.

25. -- Traditional approaches to justice and reconciliation in Konso are one of the community based approaches for peace building; it focuses on the psycho-social and spiritual dimensions of violent conflicts . Key informants and focus group discussion result showed that conflict between Konso people and segen area people was not easily solved yet due to difference in ethnic group, competition between woredas on status and political instability

26. -- A customary institutions, religious institutions and government organizations played a crucial role in transforming conflict in the area.

27. CHALLENGES OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION Focus group discussion, in-depth interview and participant observation result shows that there are many challenges to traditional conflict resolution practices in Konso zone . Some of the challenges are 1/ Religious institutions Christian religion followers do not accept traditional conflict resolution method . They believe that traditional conflict resolution methods are paganism which is against their religion.

28. 2/ Weak enforcement method Elders have a negotiation role in konso traditional conflict management practices. That means elders cannot enforce either conflicting parties to come up to peace. However elders try to enforce both parties and create consensus among them . There are no as such strong enforcement methods that push the conflicting parties to apply the decisions.

29. Globalization and urbanization FGD result shows that today, in information era, people do not accept indigenous conflict management practices. They view indigenous conflict management practices as backward and illiteracy activities. Peoples living in urban areas of Konso are resistant to indigenous conflict management methods.

30. weakness and partiality of decision makers As per FGD, in Konso indigenous conflict resolution method, it is the right of conflicting parties to select decision makers. Therefore, conflicting parties select the elder of his/her own ethnic group who stands with him/her and defend for his/ her truth Thus, elders may not agree with same issue and decide similar cases differently. This will result in absence of consistent judgment on the similar cases . Lack of data and witnesses during decision making results in partiality of decision making process

31. Gender inequality of decision makers As far as the history of indigenous conflict resolution of konso people is concerned, women were not allowed to take part in the forum of conflict resolution. As per FGD, In Konso ethnic group, women do not invited to make decision even if the conflicting parties are women. Decision making place ( public gathering field) are not allowed for women to come there and make decision. Therefore , women are excluded from decision making process.

32. OPPORTUNITITES OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION 1/ Knowledge transfer Elders who experienced in dispute resolution convey norms and values of society to Youngers, children and women to keep societal norms . Cultural heritages, traditional rules, norms are transferred to people during traditional conflict resolution. Conflict resolution practices in traditional way are focused on future lives of people by minimizing disagreements, oppositions and quarrels.

33. Restores community cohesion Traditional methods, deeply rooted in local customs and cultural practices, emphasize restorative justice , communal harmony , and consensus-building ( Boege , 2011 ). These approaches often involve respected community elders or chiefs who mediate disputes and promote reconciliation As in-depth interview shows one of the advantages of traditional conflict resolution method is to stop revenge and bring co-existence between groups and households in the community.

34. Support of Non-governmental organizations There are both national and international organizations that support peaceful conflict resolution practices in konso . Organizations like UNESCO, International justice’s organization and Ethiopian human rights commission support traditional conflict resolution method . As the researcher observed in sample villages, there are public halls built by NGOS for conflict resolution meetings

35. Fast and cost effective The researcher observed sample conflict resolution method in traditional way during data collection. It was recognized that since decision makers are within the community and the objective of conflict management was to restore community cohesion, penalties are ignored and limited to the minimum wage, considering paying capacity of people . During group discussion, community elders confirmed that if any one of conflicting party is reluctant for implementation of decision, community elders impose penalty

36. Role of Youth in conflict resolution practice youth play a dual role in conflict resolution; they can pose challenge to peace or contribute significantly to peace building effort youth involvement in conflict resolution is essential for achieving lasting peace in the community young people have extremely strong value of tolerance and peace building . Youth create spaces where young people can freely express their voice and debate with peers and policy makers

37. --- Youth play a crucial role in supplying logistics, identifying decision makers, arrangement for conflict resolution. Youth voice are rejected, abused, and neglected as elders assume youth are children. involving youth in conflict resolution is healing society at large and harmonious relation will be created in future generation

38. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION CONCLUSION The finding of the study shows that there are practices of traditional conflict management method across Konso community in Ethiopia. Traditional conflict management method has many dimensions and procedures based on the magnitude of conflict and number of participants There are many place to solve conflict in konso traditional conflict management style.

39. --- Traditional conflict resolution practices fosters community cohesion and ensures equitable access to justice Establishment of traditional conflict resolution practices in Konso community. These are establishment of religious institution, modernization and urbanization, gender inequality in decision making, weak enforcement method and partiality of decision makers are challenges of conflict resolution methods In navigating conflict management method, traditional conflict resolution systems offer unique opportunities that blend indigenous wisdom with contemporary challenges.

40. ----- Through the transmission of ancestral wisdom from elders to younger generations, traditional practices continue to shape community norms and values, fostering resilience in the face of modern challenges

41. RECOMMENDATION Cultural and tourism office of Konso zone should support indigenous conflict management practices. Procedures and all participants should be written and documented for further investigation and easy implementation of conflict management method. Special treatment for decision makers and support with material should be provided from government Encourage continued adaptation and modernization of traditional conflict resolution mechanisms in Konso community

42. Thank you all audiences It is open for Comments, suggestion and questions!!