The Role, Challenges and Opportunities of Community Elders and Religious Leaders in Building Peaceful Coexistence among Kaciboren Community in Gore Town, Oromia Regional State

Abstract

This thesis focuses on exploring the role that community elders and religious leaders play in building peaceful coexistence in Gore town, the case of Kaciboren local administration. I employed Qualitative research approach. The study relied on purposive sampling to select participants. In general, twenty eight participants were participated in the study process. The methods used in data collection were in-depth interview (with community members, police, and prosecutor and religious leaders), focus group discussion with community elders and observation. The data were analyzed by using thematic approach. The findings of the study show that religious leaders and community elders play significant role in building community peace in Kaciboren local administration. Religious leaders and community elders were involved in awareness raising, conducting a series of discussions with their member and peace education towards maintaining peace between settlers and the original inhabitants of the area. The public perception of some peace builders as agents of government and lack of incentive were some of the challenges they faced in their work of peace building process. The community has strong support, trust, acceptance and respect for their religious leaders and community elders in Kaciboren local administration. The government should provide the necessary support and help to religious leaders and community elders. At the end, peace is not only the concern of government and the society alone rather it needs the contribution of all people.