Abstract:
Conflict is natural and evitable. It can also happen any were and its sources are also varying.
There are different kinds of conflict including conflict among individuals like neighborhoods.
The purpose of this study was to assess Conflict Management Strategies in the Neighborhoods of
Uffa Town in Gimbo woreda, Kaffa Zone. Mixed research approach with descriptive design was
employed. Both primary and secondary data were used for the study. Data were gathered using
questionnaire, Focus group and key informant. Quantitative and qualitative Data were gathered
separately and analyzed separately. SPSS software version 25 was used for survey analysis and
presented using descriptive statistics. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically. This study
found that that neighbors’ conflict is common and there are different cause and practices of its
management. Among the various conflict resolution mechanisms, the traditional way of
resolving neighbors' conflict is the commonly/frequently used method and effective method than
the modern judicial system. The findings also indicted that conflict due children's affairs, land
borders and falsified information are the main causes of neighbors' conflicts mentioned by
household heads, focus group discussants and key informants. The study also found that in
traditional method, there is a marked absence or inadequacy of enforcement mechanisms to
affect what the elders and other traditional courts have ruled. The customary courts rely on
goodwill of the society to adhere to its rulings. In terms of gender consideration there is a
serious gender and age imbalance as women and youth are largely excluded from important
community decision making processes. Women and children are there to be seen and not heard
despite of the fact that they play a critical role in precipitating conflicts. The study proposes that
there should be increased collaboration and networking between the government and traditional
institutions of governance. In particular, the government should recognize and aid customary
courts enforce their rulings. The elders should be trained on modern methods of arbitration and
at minimum and traditional mechanisms of conflict management should be more sensitive to the
universally accepted principles of human rights.
