Features and Causes of Oromo and Somali Conflicts: The Case of Miesso District of Oromia and Mullu District of Somali Regional States, Ethiopia

Abstract

This article aimed to investigate features and causes of the conflicts between Oromo and Somali Pastoral and agro-pastoral (PAP) groups in the study area. Hence, 160 PAP households were randomly selected to facilitate primary data collection by using household survey. Qualitative data were collected by using key informant interviewees (KIIs) and Focal group discussions (FGDs). Field observation, informal discussion and review of secondary data were also supported data collection process of the study. Descriptive research design; descriptive and inferential statistics were employed. The proportion of sample households composed of 49% Oromo and 51% Somali groups. The result of findings showed recurrent drought, rangeland degradation, conflicting land use between the contending groups, hostile relationships, enmity stereotype and incitement, instability due to increasing frequency and magnitude of violent conflicts, firearms and weapons proliferation and weak capacity of customary institutions were ranked as the main features of conflicts in the study area. High frequency of prevalence violent conflicts was seen in the past two decades (2000-2020) with increasing trends of conflicts, as 83% of households responded. The Scarcity of range resources, lack of property rights to communal grazing resource, weak capacity of customary institutions and government system to ensure rule of law were found the main causes that often prompt contending groups towards violent conflicts, significant differences, at p<0.01, 0.05 and 0.1, between the two groups. In the light of findings this paper concludes that the two PAP groups are significantly different in all factors that prompt contending groups to embark on conflicts due to their differences in socio-economic, cultural, political and resource-related factors.