Natural Resource Conflict Analysis Among Pastoralists in Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

This paper examines resource-related conflict among pastoralists in southern Ethiopia, specifically the Somali and Oromo ethnic groups. It applies theories of property rights, environmental security and political ecology to discuss the complexity of the conflict, using narrative analysis and conflict mapping. Results reveal that the conflict results from interrelated cultural, ecological and political factors. The systems of governance, including the setting up of regions on an ethnic basis and associated competition for land and control of water-points, have contributed to violent conflict between the two ethnic groups. The creation of new administrative units (kebeles) close to regional boundaries has exacerbated the conflict. Moreover, change in land use, prompted by insecure property rights to communal land, rather than expected increase in economic benefits has caused conflicts among the clans of the Oromo. The findings suggest Ethiopian authorities support the functioning of traditional access options, successful operation of customary courts and penalising opportunistic actors to address inter-ethnic conflicts. Applying land use and administration guidelines and empowering customary authorities would reduce the incidence of inter-clan conflict.

Keywords:

• conflict
• pastoralism
• resources
• Somali
• Oromo

Acknowledgements

I would like to acknowledge the financial support of the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) within the framework of the African Initiative as a capacity-building programme. The detailed comments of the reviewers and the editors were very useful to enrich this material.

Notes

1 In this paper, ‘ethnic group’ is referring to either Somali or Oromo, whereas each ethnic group has its own clans. The ‘pastoral group’ is frequently used here to refer to either ‘ethnic’ or ‘clan’ depending on context.