The Role of Customary Conflict Resolution Mechanisms and Elders in Preserving Peace and Security (The Case of Sheko Community, South West Ethiopia)

Mohammed Worku

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijecs.20230804.14

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The Role of Customary Conflict Resolution Mechanisms and Elders in Preserving Peace and Security (The Case of Sheko Community, South West Ethiopia)

Mohammed Worku

Published in International Journal of Education, Culture and Society (Volume 8, Issue 4)

Received: 5 March 2023 Accepted: 11 July 2023 Published: 26 July 2023

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Abstract

In Ethiopia, traditional peacekeeping institutions and their applications are a common phenomenon in keeping the peace for a long time. The role of sustaining the institutions and using them as a peace-keeping mechanism rests on the elders of each generation. Without elders’ engagement, the institutions are nothing by themselves. This paper tried to show the role of customary conflict resolution mechanisms and elders in preserving peace and security in the Sheko community to show their importance and use them to address ethnic conflicts. To achieve the study’s objectives, different methods like focus group discussion, participant observation, and interviews are used. In addition, the researcher tried to review various kinds of literature regarding the role of customary conflict resolution mechanisms and elders. After all, the results showed that the people of Sheko possess a weighty customary system for resolving disputes that are based on harmony, understanding, spiritual unity, and strength. The findings also demonstrated that traditional dispute resolution methods through elders are more flexible, affordable, and accessible to the local community than the formal court system, allowing the government of Ethiopia to design policies and laws that deal with institutionalizing and harmonizing traditional dispute resolution methods within the nation's legal system and providing elders and indigenous people with the proper recognition.

Published in	International Journal of Education, Culture and Society (Volume 8, Issue 4)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijecs.20230804.14
Page(s)	178-182
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Elders, Conflict Management and Resolution Institutions, Sheko Community, Koynab, Peace and Security

References

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[2]	Dahal, D. and Bhatta C. (2008). The Relevance of Local Conflict Resolution Mechanisms for Systemic Conflict Transformation in Nepal. Berghof Foundation.
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[4]	Eskedar, S. (2015). Exploring Effects of Institutional Care on the Life of Elderly: The Case of Macedonia Humanitarian Association, Unpublished MSc thesis, Addis Ababa University.
[5]	Fiseha, M. (2018). Traditional Conflict Management and Resolution Mechanisms: The Case of Sheko People in Ethiopia. Ph.D. Dissertation, Addis Ababa University.
[6]	Gowok, S. (2008). Alternative Dispute Resolution in Ethiopia: A Legal Framework. African Research Review, 2 (2) 265-285.
[7]	Jupp, V. (2006). The SAGE Dictionary of Social Research Methods. SAGE. https://doi.org/10.4135/9780857020116
[8]	Kefale, A. (2010). Federal Restructuring in Ethiopia: Renegotiating Identity and Borders along the Oromo–Somali Ethnic Frontiers. Development and Change, 41 (4), 615-635, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-7660.2010.01654.
[9]	Macfarlane, J. (2007). Working towards restorative justice in Ethiopia: integrating traditional conflict resolution systems with the formal legal system. Cardozo Journal of Conflict Resolution, 8 (2), 487-509.
[10]	Mellese, Mada (2008). "The Role of Elders in Resolving Conflicts: The Case of Walayta People of Southern Ethiopia". In: Tarekegn and Hannah (eds.), Making Peace in Ethiopia: Five Cases Traditional Mechanisms for Conflict Resolution. Addis Ababa: Peace and Development Committee.
[11]	Mengesha, A, D., Yesuf, S. S. and Gebre, T. (2015). Indigenous Conflict Resolution Mechanisms among the Kembata Society. American Journal of Educational Research, 3 (2), 225-242.
[12]	Meron Z. (2010). Ye Shakoch Chilot: The Court of the Sheikhs. A Traditional Institution of Conflict Resolution in Oromia Zone of Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia. African Journal of Conflict Resolution, 10 (1), 63-84.
[13]	Silverman (2000). Doing Qualitative Research: A Practical Handbook. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications Ltd.
[14]	Tsega E. (2002). Conflict resolution through cultural tolerance: an analysis of the Michu institution in Metekkel region Ethiopia. Organization for Social Science Research in Eastern and Southern Africa.
[15]	Yegidis, B. L. and Weinbach, R. W. (1991). Research Methods for Social Workers, Longman, the University of Michigan.
[16]	Zimet, D. M., & Jacob, T. (2001). Influences of marital conflict on child adjustment: Review of theory and research. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 4 (4), 319–335. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1013595304718

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APA Style

Mohammed Worku. (2023). The Role of Customary Conflict Resolution Mechanisms and Elders in Preserving Peace and Security (The Case of Sheko Community, South West Ethiopia). International Journal of Education, Culture and Society, 8(4), 178-182. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijecs.20230804.14

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ACS Style

Mohammed Worku. The Role of Customary Conflict Resolution Mechanisms and Elders in Preserving Peace and Security (The Case of Sheko Community, South West Ethiopia). Int. J. Educ. Cult. Soc. 2023, 8(4), 178-182. doi: 10.11648/j.ijecs.20230804.14

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AMA Style

Mohammed Worku. The Role of Customary Conflict Resolution Mechanisms and Elders in Preserving Peace and Security (The Case of Sheko Community, South West Ethiopia). Int J Educ Cult Soc. 2023;8(4):178-182. doi: 10.11648/j.ijecs.20230804.14

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@article{10.11648/j.ijecs.20230804.14,
  author = {Mohammed Worku},
  title = {The Role of Customary Conflict Resolution Mechanisms and Elders in Preserving Peace and Security (The Case of Sheko Community, South West Ethiopia)},
  journal = {International Journal of Education, Culture and Society},
  volume = {8},
  number = {4},
  pages = {178-182},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijecs.20230804.14},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijecs.20230804.14},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijecs.20230804.14},
  abstract = {In Ethiopia, traditional peacekeeping institutions and their applications are a common phenomenon in keeping the peace for a long time. The role of sustaining the institutions and using them as a peace-keeping mechanism rests on the elders of each generation. Without elders’ engagement, the institutions are nothing by themselves. This paper tried to show the role of customary conflict resolution mechanisms and elders in preserving peace and security in the Sheko community to show their importance and use them to address ethnic conflicts. To achieve the study’s objectives, different methods like focus group discussion, participant observation, and interviews are used. In addition, the researcher tried to review various kinds of literature regarding the role of customary conflict resolution mechanisms and elders. After all, the results showed that the people of Sheko possess a weighty customary system for resolving disputes that are based on harmony, understanding, spiritual unity, and strength. The findings also demonstrated that traditional dispute resolution methods through elders are more flexible, affordable, and accessible to the local community than the formal court system, allowing the government of Ethiopia to design policies and laws that deal with institutionalizing and harmonizing traditional dispute resolution methods within the nation's legal system and providing elders and indigenous people with the proper recognition.},
 year = {2023}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - The Role of Customary Conflict Resolution Mechanisms and Elders in Preserving Peace and Security (The Case of Sheko Community, South West Ethiopia)
AU  - Mohammed Worku
Y1  - 2023/07/26
PY  - 2023
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijecs.20230804.14
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijecs.20230804.14
T2  - International Journal of Education, Culture and Society
JF  - International Journal of Education, Culture and Society
JO  - International Journal of Education, Culture and Society
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AB  - In Ethiopia, traditional peacekeeping institutions and their applications are a common phenomenon in keeping the peace for a long time. The role of sustaining the institutions and using them as a peace-keeping mechanism rests on the elders of each generation. Without elders’ engagement, the institutions are nothing by themselves. This paper tried to show the role of customary conflict resolution mechanisms and elders in preserving peace and security in the Sheko community to show their importance and use them to address ethnic conflicts. To achieve the study’s objectives, different methods like focus group discussion, participant observation, and interviews are used. In addition, the researcher tried to review various kinds of literature regarding the role of customary conflict resolution mechanisms and elders. After all, the results showed that the people of Sheko possess a weighty customary system for resolving disputes that are based on harmony, understanding, spiritual unity, and strength. The findings also demonstrated that traditional dispute resolution methods through elders are more flexible, affordable, and accessible to the local community than the formal court system, allowing the government of Ethiopia to design policies and laws that deal with institutionalizing and harmonizing traditional dispute resolution methods within the nation's legal system and providing elders and indigenous people with the proper recognition.
VL  - 8
IS  - 4
ER  -

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Author Information

Mohammed Worku

Department of Management, Mizan Tepi University, Mizan, Ethiopia

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APA Style

Mohammed Worku. (2023). The Role of Customary Conflict Resolution Mechanisms and Elders in Preserving Peace and Security (The Case of Sheko Community, South West Ethiopia). International Journal of Education, Culture and Society, 8(4), 178-182. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijecs.20230804.14

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ACS Style

Mohammed Worku. The Role of Customary Conflict Resolution Mechanisms and Elders in Preserving Peace and Security (The Case of Sheko Community, South West Ethiopia). Int. J. Educ. Cult. Soc. 2023, 8(4), 178-182. doi: 10.11648/j.ijecs.20230804.14

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AMA Style

Mohammed Worku. The Role of Customary Conflict Resolution Mechanisms and Elders in Preserving Peace and Security (The Case of Sheko Community, South West Ethiopia). Int J Educ Cult Soc. 2023;8(4):178-182. doi: 10.11648/j.ijecs.20230804.14

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@article{10.11648/j.ijecs.20230804.14,
  author = {Mohammed Worku},
  title = {The Role of Customary Conflict Resolution Mechanisms and Elders in Preserving Peace and Security (The Case of Sheko Community, South West Ethiopia)},
  journal = {International Journal of Education, Culture and Society},
  volume = {8},
  number = {4},
  pages = {178-182},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijecs.20230804.14},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijecs.20230804.14},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijecs.20230804.14},
  abstract = {In Ethiopia, traditional peacekeeping institutions and their applications are a common phenomenon in keeping the peace for a long time. The role of sustaining the institutions and using them as a peace-keeping mechanism rests on the elders of each generation. Without elders’ engagement, the institutions are nothing by themselves. This paper tried to show the role of customary conflict resolution mechanisms and elders in preserving peace and security in the Sheko community to show their importance and use them to address ethnic conflicts. To achieve the study’s objectives, different methods like focus group discussion, participant observation, and interviews are used. In addition, the researcher tried to review various kinds of literature regarding the role of customary conflict resolution mechanisms and elders. After all, the results showed that the people of Sheko possess a weighty customary system for resolving disputes that are based on harmony, understanding, spiritual unity, and strength. The findings also demonstrated that traditional dispute resolution methods through elders are more flexible, affordable, and accessible to the local community than the formal court system, allowing the government of Ethiopia to design policies and laws that deal with institutionalizing and harmonizing traditional dispute resolution methods within the nation's legal system and providing elders and indigenous people with the proper recognition.},
 year = {2023}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - The Role of Customary Conflict Resolution Mechanisms and Elders in Preserving Peace and Security (The Case of Sheko Community, South West Ethiopia)
AU  - Mohammed Worku
Y1  - 2023/07/26
PY  - 2023
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijecs.20230804.14
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijecs.20230804.14
T2  - International Journal of Education, Culture and Society
JF  - International Journal of Education, Culture and Society
JO  - International Journal of Education, Culture and Society
SP  - 178
EP  - 182
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2575-3363
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijecs.20230804.14
AB  - In Ethiopia, traditional peacekeeping institutions and their applications are a common phenomenon in keeping the peace for a long time. The role of sustaining the institutions and using them as a peace-keeping mechanism rests on the elders of each generation. Without elders’ engagement, the institutions are nothing by themselves. This paper tried to show the role of customary conflict resolution mechanisms and elders in preserving peace and security in the Sheko community to show their importance and use them to address ethnic conflicts. To achieve the study’s objectives, different methods like focus group discussion, participant observation, and interviews are used. In addition, the researcher tried to review various kinds of literature regarding the role of customary conflict resolution mechanisms and elders. After all, the results showed that the people of Sheko possess a weighty customary system for resolving disputes that are based on harmony, understanding, spiritual unity, and strength. The findings also demonstrated that traditional dispute resolution methods through elders are more flexible, affordable, and accessible to the local community than the formal court system, allowing the government of Ethiopia to design policies and laws that deal with institutionalizing and harmonizing traditional dispute resolution methods within the nation's legal system and providing elders and indigenous people with the proper recognition.
VL  - 8
IS  - 4
ER  -

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