Inter-Communal conflict between Guji and Koore, Southern Ethiopia
Keywords:
Communal, Inter-Communal conflict, Guji, KooreAbstract
Inter-Communal conflict is serious challenges in any multi-community federation like Ethiopia. This study deals with the inter-communal conflict between the Guji and Koore ethnic groups. The aim of this manuscript is to examine the underlying causes, contributing factors, actors, dynamics, and impacts of the communal conflict in the study area. Methodologically, the researcher employed a qualitative research approach with an exploratory research design. The manuscript relied on both primary and secondary sources of data. The analysis of qualitative data was made using thematic data analysis. The findings of this study reveal that the Guji and Koore have had a long history of friendly coexistence and occasional conflict. In earlier times, the Guji-Koore conflict was caused by competition over land resources for farming and grazing. Nevertheless, after three decades, conflicts have intensified and changed due to a range of factors. The actors involved in the conflict were individual agriculturalists and agro-pastoralists, youth and adults, the OLF fighters, the political elites and women, who played a role by aggravating and encouraging the people. Indeed, the study revealed and analyzed the consequences and impacts of Guji-Koore conflict on social, economic, and political life the both groups. To manage the conflict and build peace in the study area, formal and indigenous mechanisms of conflict management and peacebuilding were undertaken. However, the attempts failed to address the root causes of the conflict and build lasting peace. The current study shows that the area needs immediate attention from all concerned bodies and should implement different mechanisms and strategies to bring peace to the study area.
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