THE DYNAMICS OF INTER-ETHNIC CONFLICTS BETWEEN SIDAMA AND OROMO: THE CASE OF WONDOGENET WOREDA AND WONDO WOREDA.

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to assess the dynamics of inter-ethnic conflict between Sidama and Oromo: The case of Wondogenet woreda and Wondo woreda. In these two Woredas, the researcher selected one kebele from each woreda purposively; Edo kebele from Wondogenet woreda of the Sidama region and Intaye kebele from Wondo woreda of the West Arsi Zone were selected because these two kebeles are highly affected by inter-ethnic conflict. In this study, researcher was employed a mixed research approach with descriptive and explanatory research design. As the sources of the data, both primary and secondary sources were employed. The primary sources of data were collected by using a questionnaire survey, in-depth interview, focus group discussion, and key informant interview. On the other hand, secondary sources of data were collected from published and non-published research materials and also by reviewing different related literature. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically, and quantitative data was analyzed by using descriptive analysis such as tables, graphs, frequency, and percentage by using SPSS software. The main findings of the study were competition for limited economic resources like land and water, land boundaries or land ownership questions were economic causes for inter-ethnic conflict and political causes conflict include poor democratic culture, lack of good governance, politicization of ethnicity, and ethnic mobilization. Socio-cultural causes of the conflict include identity-based conflict and a lack of understanding of one another's culture and norms, which were the cause of conflict in the study area. The study also identified that different actors took part in the conflict. It also found that the conflict caused economic crisis, property damage, and decline of agricultural productivity in the study area, food insecurity, poverty, hunger, and displacement and social disorder were the impacts of conflict in study area. Both government bodies and local communities played a constructive role in minimizing or handling inter-ethnic conflict in the study area. The study recommends that much needs local communities and government should be done to restore the communal peace between Sidama and Oromo and address the root causes of the conflict.