Political Institutions, Violent Conflict, and Its Aftermath in Eastern Ethiopia

The article examines the dynamics and consequences of violent conflict in eastern Ethiopia. Property rights, greed–grievance, and environmental scarcity theories were employed to explain the violence. Results from interviews and discussions indicate that land-use change, livestock raiding, and contention over regional administration border defined along ethnic lines are the key causes of the conflict. Manipulation by powerful political elites in the federal government in orchestrating inter-regional tension has sustained the violence. The conflict has generated social, economic, and environmental impacts. Attempts to resolve the conflict have undermined customary leaders trusted by community members. Thus, peacebuilding efforts should commence with identifying political elites manipulating relationships, undertaking political reform, and implementing transitional justice system. There is also a need for the federal and regional political institutions to engage trustworthy customary leaders in the peace process.