The Role of Indigenous Institutions in Conflict Resolution. In the Case of Inter-Ethnic Conflict between Argobba and Afar People, Northeast Ethiopia

Table of Contents

Objectives and Key Themes

This thesis aims to investigate the role of indigenous institutions in conflict resolution, specifically focusing on inter-ethnic conflicts between the Argobba and Afar people in Northeast Ethiopia. The study seeks to understand the effectiveness of these traditional mechanisms and their contribution to peacebuilding in the region.

• The role of indigenous institutions in conflict resolution.
• The effectiveness of traditional conflict resolution methods.
• The causes of inter-ethnic conflict between the Argobba and Afar people.
• The specific mechanisms employed by indigenous institutions.
• Comparative analysis of traditional and modern conflict resolution approaches.

Chapter Summaries

Chapter One: Introduction

This chapter introduces the research topic, outlining the problem of inter-ethnic conflict between the Argobba and Afar communities in Northeast Ethiopia. It establishes the study's objectives, research questions, and the significance of examining indigenous conflict resolution mechanisms. The chapter also defines the scope and limitations of the research, including geographical and temporal boundaries, and briefly details the thesis's structure.

Chapter Two: Review of Related Literature

This chapter provides a comprehensive review of existing literature on conflict resolution, with a specific focus on the theoretical frameworks underpinning indigenous approaches. It explores various concepts, including conflict, ethnic conflict, and conflict resolution, drawing on relevant theories like social capital and social solidarity. The review also examines indigenous conflict resolution methods in Africa and Ethiopia, highlighting successful and unsuccessful case studies to contextualize the research problem.

Chapter Three: Research Methodology

This chapter details the research design and methods employed in the study. It explains the chosen research approach (qualitative), the data collection methods (interviews, observations, focus group discussions, case studies, secondary data), and the data analysis techniques. It provides justification for the chosen methods and discusses the ethical considerations related to data collection and participant anonymity. The chapter also addresses the researcher's experiences in the field and the challenges faced during data gathering.

Chapter Four: An Overview of the Argobba and Afar People

This chapter provides background information on the Argobba and Afar communities, including their history, culture, social structures, and traditional values relevant to conflict resolution. It specifically examines the traditional institutions and practices within each community that have historically played a role in addressing conflict. The chapter lays the groundwork for understanding the context in which the conflict occurs and the potential role of indigenous institutions in conflict management.

Chapter Five: Result and Discussion

This chapter presents the findings of the research. It analyzes the major causes of conflict between the Argobba and Afar people, detailing the specific issues that lead to disputes and tensions. The chapter then examines the role of indigenous institutions in resolving these conflicts, including case studies that showcase how these mechanisms operate in practice. It discusses the effectiveness of indigenous approaches compared to formal state-led mechanisms, examining their strengths and weaknesses. This chapter also explores the role of the "Abegar," an Argobba indigenous institution, in conflict resolution.

Keywords

Indigenous institutions, conflict resolution, inter-ethnic conflict, Argobba, Afar, Ethiopia, traditional methods, peacebuilding, social capital, social solidarity, case studies, qualitative research.

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