Conflict Management Strategies in the Neighborhoods of Uffa Town in Gimbo woreda, Kaffa Zone, South Western Regional State, Ethiopia

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.