ASSESSING THE INTER-ETHNIC CONFLICT IN BORDERLANDS:- THE CASE OF ARBEGONA WOREDA, SIDAMA REGION AND KOKOSA WOREDA IN OROMIYA REGION

<strong>Abstract:</strong> The main aim of this thesis is to assessing The Inter-Ethnic Conflict in Borderlands: - The Case of Arbegona Woreda, Sidama Region and Kokosa Woreda in Oromiya Region. To achieve this purpose, descriptive research design with a mixed research approach i.e. quantitative and qualitative research approach was employed for this study. To achieve the goal, an attempt was made to collect necessary data using a questionnaire, in-depth interview, Focus group discussions and review of written documents. Quantitative data were collected through a questionnaire, interpreted and presented using the table and percentage. Whereas, qualitative data that were collected through in-depth interviews and Focus group discussions are presented using descriptive methods. The researcher employed purposive and simple random sampling techniques to select research participants. The descriptive analysis made shows that the lack of good governance, the proliferation of small weapons, lack of clear demarcated boundary and competition over natural resources as the root causes of inter-ethnic conflict between Sidama and Oromo of the study area. The conflict resulted in economic, social and political crises in the study area. In addition it damages the socio-economic and political life of a public. Thus, the study has proved that to bring sustainable peace in the conflicting area, the administrators of the two woredas should give attention to capacity building for peace, Advancing good governance, implementation of rule of law, demographic pressure of the two ethnic groups of the study area, and demarcating boundary based on the consent of the two ethnic groups.