Anthology of peace and security research : Volume 3 - Bibliothek der

320 Pages·2012·1.8 MB·English

Anthology of Peace and Security Research
Volume 3
Institute for Peace and Security Studies in
Collaboration with Friedrich Ebert Stiftung,
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
December, 2012

Anthology of Peace and Security Research
Volume 3
Institute for Peace and Security Studies in
Collaboration with Friedrich Ebert Stiftung,
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
December, 2012
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any
means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information
storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Institute for Peace and
Security Studies (IPSS), Addis Ababa University and Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES)
Table of Contents
i
Introduction, By Mulugeta Gebrehiwot Berhe
Preface, By Arne Schildberg iii
Section 1 1
Dynamics of Inter-Communal Conflict in North-East
Ethiopia: The Case of Wejerat People and Their Neighboring
Afar. Abraha Tesfay
Chapter One 4
Introduction
Chapter Two 13
Nature and Context of the Wejerat-Afar
Conflict and Interaction
Chapter Three 19
The Contemporary Wejerat-Afar Conflict Dynamics and
Interactions: Data Analysis and Presentation
Chapter Four 58
Conclusion and recommendations
References 66
Section 2 71
Entrenching the Culture of Peace in Ethiopia:
Challenges and Opportunities. Alagaw Ababu
Chapter One 74
Introduction
Chapter Two 79
Conceptual Framework
Chapter Three 84
Challenges of Building the Culture of Peace
Chapter Four 108
Prospects for Building the Culture of Peace
Chapter Five 117
Summary and Conclusions
References 120
Section 3 125
Religious Tolerance and Tensions between Orthodox
Christianity and Islam Religion in Gondar Town, North West
Ethiopia. Haileyesus Muluken
Chapter One 135
Introduction
Chapter Two 141
Research Methodology
Chapter Three 146
Features of Religious Tolerance and Tensions in Gondar Town
Chapter Four 165
Major Actors and Manifestations of Tolerance and Intolerance
Chapter Five 175
Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations
References 178
Section 4 189
Trends and Responses to Terrorism in the Horn of
Africa: The Ethiopian Experience. Muluwork Gebre Gessesse
Chapter One 192
Introduction
Chapter Two 200
Review of Related Literature What is Terrorism?
Chapter Three: 215
Terrorism in Ethiopia and the Horn:
Analysis and Findings Somalia: A Failed State
Chapter Four 243
Conclusions and Recommendations
References 248
Section 5 253
Ethnic Conflict Management and Conflict Transformation:
The Case of Derashe and Konso in Southern Nations, Nationalities and
People’s Region (SNNPR) Yidneckachew Ayele
Chapter One 258
Introduction
Chapter Two 267
The Derashe-Konso Conflict
Chapter Three 278
The Derashe-Konso Conflict Management Process
Chapter Four 293
The Derashe-Konso Conflict Management in and under Transformation
Chapter Five 301
Summary and Conclusion
References 305
Anthology of Peace & Security Research
Introduction
It has been over two years since the Institute for Peace and Security Studies of Addis
Ababa University made the decision to publish five selected theses from each graduating
class. There are two objectives for this initiative. First, we aim to disseminate research
findings to policy makers and scholars. Second, we want to encourage students to be
thorough in their research. To date, the Institute has published two books that have been
widely circulated to academics and policymakers in Ethiopia. The publications reward
students for their efforts in producing high quality theses. Many of our students are able
to meet the demanding requirements of their degrees and also produce high quality
theses for publication. This has been a source of encouragement for us to continue with
this project. The five selected theses raise relevant policy issues in peace and security.
The arguments and findings stated in each of the theses in no way represent the opinion
of the Institute and are strictly owned by their writers.
The first thesis in this anthology was written by Abraha Tesfay, who discusses the
dynamics of inter-communal conflict in North-East Ethiopia by using the cases of the
Wejerat in Tigray and neighboring Afar. The study emphasizes the underlying causes,
dynamics and trends of the conflict, recognizing that this requires an understanding
of the relationship between the two groups in connection with their historical legacy
during times of both peace and instability. The culture of interdependence and symbiotic
relations between the two communities known as fukur (close friendship) and gereb
(joint institution to solve conflict) have now become problematic. This study illustrates
the gravity of the problem by underscoring the importance of timely intervention
and grassroots level studies that focus on addressing root causes rather than treating
symptoms of already existing problems.
The second paper was written by Alagaw Ababu and titled, “Entrenching the culture of
peace in Ethiopia: Challenges and Opportunities”. This study examines the culture of
peace across the aspects of democracy, non-violent political struggle, and inter-ethnic
and inter-religious tolerance and solidarity in Ethiopia. The paper discusses some of the
alleged challenges in building a culture of peace. These constraints include authoritarian
political culture, lack of inclusiveness of the democratization process, unfavorable
socio-economic conditions and the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front
(EPRDF). A summary of research findings and key priority areas is then presented.
Haileyesus Muluken wrote the third paper, titled, “Religious Tolerance and Tension
between Orthodox Christianity and Islam Religion in Gondar Town, North West
Ethiopia”. The findings of this study reveal the existence of various causes and actors
in the conflict between Orthodox Christians and Muslims in Gondar town. As a result,
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Anthology of Peace & Security Research
provocative religious propagation, lack of a clear legal regime regarding religious
matters, religious extremism, lack of understanding and misapplication of freedom of
religion, new identity consciousness, lack of good governance, competition over ritual
and burial sites, historical factors, national religious problems, and globalization and
external involvement were found to be the causes of religious intolerance between the
two communities.
The fourth paper, “Trends and Responses to Terrorism in the Horn of Africa: The
Ethiopian Experience” by Muluwork Gebre Gessesse, identifies multiple causes of
terrorism for instance the collapse of the Somali state, poverty, ideological differences,
and religion as an organizing principle for terrorist activities. Fuelled by sophisticated
international networking, financing and technology, fertile ground for the prevalence
of terrorism has been created by loosely controlled and porous borders, conflicts among
divided communities and firearms. Considering the trends, consequences and means
employed to perpetrate these acts, terrorism is a serious threat to the overall well being of
the sub-region. Hence, preventive and defensive mechanisms have been recommended
as counter terrorism measures.
The fifth paper, written by Yidneckachew Ayele, is titled, “Ethnic Conflict Management
and Conflict Transformation: The Case of Derashe and Konso in Southern Nations,
Nationalities and People’s Region (SNNPR)”. The main objective of this study was to
explore transformative peace building in ethnic conflict management in the Light of
the recent experiences of the Derashe and Konso ethnic groups in Southern Nations,
Nationalities and People’s Region (SNNPR). The paper attempts to elucidate the
relevance of conflict transformation theory in establishing internal harmony and the
co-existence of different ethnic groups. The study discovered the relevance of both
constitutional macro-political decisions and micro-level ethnic conflict management
processes in exploring and adapting transformative strategies of bottom-up peace
building. The study also produced analytical information about the nature of conflict
between the Konso and Derashe ethnic groups, the conflict management process and its
transformative dimensions.
I hope these selected theses will advance your knowledge on research in the area of
peace and security.
Mulugeta Gebrehiwot Berhe
Director
Institute for Peace and Security Studies
Addis Ababa University

ii
Anthology of Peace & Security Research
Preface
This publication is a collection of five theses submitted to the Institute of Peace and
Security Studies (IPSS) of Addis Ababa University.
The realization of this publication was a true partnership between two institutions:
the Institute of Peace and Security Studies (IPSS) and Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES),
which share a common interest in education, research, dialogue, and international
understanding.
The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung is a German political foundation committed to the values
of social democracy. It runs various projects in more than 100 countries. The Foundation
promotes dialogue on democracy and development broadly-contributing to peace and
security and the maintenance of solidarity in a globalized world.
FES Addis Ababa is also a part of a close network of FES offices in Eastern Africa. It
works closely with other offices in Nairobi, Kampala, Dar Es Salam and Khartoum.
Within this network of Eastern African Offices, FES Addis is specializing in Security
Policy Issues. Actually, it is the regional competence center on Security Policy for FES
Eastern African regional work
FES would like to extend its gratitude to its partnering organization IPSS for the
invitation to support such an initiative. I am also indebted to IPSS Staff and the Staff of
FES for organizing the process of this publication. Particularly, my thanks go to those
who have contributed to the success of this series: Miriam Mamo, Helen Yosef and
Tigist Yeshiwas (IPSS), Selam Abraha and Maria Bramer (FES). Without their thorough
collaboration this would not have been possible.
It is our sincere trust and belief that you will find this publication revealing and helpful
for policy makers and practitioners in the field of Peace and Security within Ethiopia
and the Eastern African Region.
Arne Schildbergl(Mr.)
Resident Representative, Friedrich-Ebert Stiftung
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Anthology of Peace & Security Research
iv