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The Role of Indigenous Conflict Resolution Mechanism on Land Use Dispute Resolution in Bahir dar zuria Woreda

Received: 25 May 2023     Accepted: 14 June 2023     Published: 17 July 2023
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Abstract

This study examined the practices and challenges of customary conflict resolution mechanisms in rural land use and land related dispute resolution in Bahir Dar Zuria Woreda of Wojer, Feresewoga, and Tentakerkose, Sebatamite, and Lejome kebeles. To achieve the objectives, the study has employed qualitative research approach with case study research design by using primary and secondary sources of data. Data were collected using focus group discussion, interviews, and non-participatory observation; and relevant literatures and documents are reviewed. Informants were selected based on purposive and snowball sampling methods. The total number of informants participated in this study were 91. The data were analyzed qualitatively through the use of thematic analysis. The findings of this study indicated that shimglina customary conflict resolution mechanisms played great role in land dispute resolution. The strengths of shimglina in which, people prefer it over the formal legal system were, in terms of time, resource, accessibility, and restoring the broken peaceful interaction. The study found that land use and land related disputes are increased. Also, the study revealed that shimglina faced many challenges that hinder its effectiveness in the resolution of land use disputes. Unless the underlying challenges of shimglina are not solved, the effectiveness of the mechanism in the resolution of land dispute is difficult. The absence of clear legal and policy framework in the practices of shimglina in rural land use disputes, lack of attention to shimglina by the government, the absence of strong enforcement mechanism, the influence and intervention of the government and politicization of shimglina are the major challenges in the practices of shimglina in rural land disputes resolution. The government should give attention to shimglina in rural land disputes for peaceful co-existence and community solidarity. The study established that shimglina as an indigenous conflict resolution mechanism plays a significant role in rural land use dispute resolution. In dealing with cases arising from rural land use dispute, Shimaglies (elders) play vital roles which include arbitration, mediation, decision making, peace-making, peacebuilding, permit traditional oath and link the living with God. This study recommends that; the government should give attention to shimglina in rural land use disputes resolution for peaceful co-existence and community solidarity, make detailed legislation and policies.

Published in Humanities and Social Sciences (Volume 11, Issue 4)
DOI 10.11648/j.hss.20231104.14
Page(s) 141-153
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2023. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Rural Land Dispute, Indigenous Conflict Resolution, Challenges of Customary Conflict Resolution, Shimglina, Bahir Dar zuria Woreda

References
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  • APA Style

    Asmare Shetahun Alemneh. (2023). The Role of Indigenous Conflict Resolution Mechanism on Land Use Dispute Resolution in Bahir dar zuria Woreda. Humanities and Social Sciences, 11(4), 141-153. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.hss.20231104.14

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    Asmare Shetahun Alemneh. The Role of Indigenous Conflict Resolution Mechanism on Land Use Dispute Resolution in Bahir dar zuria Woreda. Humanit. Soc. Sci. 2023, 11(4), 141-153. doi: 10.11648/j.hss.20231104.14

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    Asmare Shetahun Alemneh. The Role of Indigenous Conflict Resolution Mechanism on Land Use Dispute Resolution in Bahir dar zuria Woreda. Humanit Soc Sci. 2023;11(4):141-153. doi: 10.11648/j.hss.20231104.14

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  • @article{10.11648/j.hss.20231104.14,
      author = {Asmare Shetahun Alemneh},
      title = {The Role of Indigenous Conflict Resolution Mechanism on Land Use Dispute Resolution in Bahir dar zuria Woreda},
      journal = {Humanities and Social Sciences},
      volume = {11},
      number = {4},
      pages = {141-153},
      doi = {10.11648/j.hss.20231104.14},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.hss.20231104.14},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.hss.20231104.14},
      abstract = {This study examined the practices and challenges of customary conflict resolution mechanisms in rural land use and land related dispute resolution in Bahir Dar Zuria Woreda of Wojer, Feresewoga, and Tentakerkose, Sebatamite, and Lejome kebeles. To achieve the objectives, the study has employed qualitative research approach with case study research design by using primary and secondary sources of data. Data were collected using focus group discussion, interviews, and non-participatory observation; and relevant literatures and documents are reviewed. Informants were selected based on purposive and snowball sampling methods. The total number of informants participated in this study were 91. The data were analyzed qualitatively through the use of thematic analysis. The findings of this study indicated that shimglina customary conflict resolution mechanisms played great role in land dispute resolution. The strengths of shimglina in which, people prefer it over the formal legal system were, in terms of time, resource, accessibility, and restoring the broken peaceful interaction. The study found that land use and land related disputes are increased. Also, the study revealed that shimglina faced many challenges that hinder its effectiveness in the resolution of land use disputes. Unless the underlying challenges of shimglina are not solved, the effectiveness of the mechanism in the resolution of land dispute is difficult. The absence of clear legal and policy framework in the practices of shimglina in rural land use disputes, lack of attention to shimglina by the government, the absence of strong enforcement mechanism, the influence and intervention of the government and politicization of shimglina are the major challenges in the practices of shimglina in rural land disputes resolution. The government should give attention to shimglina in rural land disputes for peaceful co-existence and community solidarity. The study established that shimglina as an indigenous conflict resolution mechanism plays a significant role in rural land use dispute resolution. In dealing with cases arising from rural land use dispute, Shimaglies (elders) play vital roles which include arbitration, mediation, decision making, peace-making, peacebuilding, permit traditional oath and link the living with God. This study recommends that; the government should give attention to shimglina in rural land use disputes resolution for peaceful co-existence and community solidarity, make detailed legislation and policies.},
     year = {2023}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - The Role of Indigenous Conflict Resolution Mechanism on Land Use Dispute Resolution in Bahir dar zuria Woreda
    AU  - Asmare Shetahun Alemneh
    Y1  - 2023/07/17
    PY  - 2023
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    DO  - 10.11648/j.hss.20231104.14
    T2  - Humanities and Social Sciences
    JF  - Humanities and Social Sciences
    JO  - Humanities and Social Sciences
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    EP  - 153
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2330-8184
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.hss.20231104.14
    AB  - This study examined the practices and challenges of customary conflict resolution mechanisms in rural land use and land related dispute resolution in Bahir Dar Zuria Woreda of Wojer, Feresewoga, and Tentakerkose, Sebatamite, and Lejome kebeles. To achieve the objectives, the study has employed qualitative research approach with case study research design by using primary and secondary sources of data. Data were collected using focus group discussion, interviews, and non-participatory observation; and relevant literatures and documents are reviewed. Informants were selected based on purposive and snowball sampling methods. The total number of informants participated in this study were 91. The data were analyzed qualitatively through the use of thematic analysis. The findings of this study indicated that shimglina customary conflict resolution mechanisms played great role in land dispute resolution. The strengths of shimglina in which, people prefer it over the formal legal system were, in terms of time, resource, accessibility, and restoring the broken peaceful interaction. The study found that land use and land related disputes are increased. Also, the study revealed that shimglina faced many challenges that hinder its effectiveness in the resolution of land use disputes. Unless the underlying challenges of shimglina are not solved, the effectiveness of the mechanism in the resolution of land dispute is difficult. The absence of clear legal and policy framework in the practices of shimglina in rural land use disputes, lack of attention to shimglina by the government, the absence of strong enforcement mechanism, the influence and intervention of the government and politicization of shimglina are the major challenges in the practices of shimglina in rural land disputes resolution. The government should give attention to shimglina in rural land disputes for peaceful co-existence and community solidarity. The study established that shimglina as an indigenous conflict resolution mechanism plays a significant role in rural land use dispute resolution. In dealing with cases arising from rural land use dispute, Shimaglies (elders) play vital roles which include arbitration, mediation, decision making, peace-making, peacebuilding, permit traditional oath and link the living with God. This study recommends that; the government should give attention to shimglina in rural land use disputes resolution for peaceful co-existence and community solidarity, make detailed legislation and policies.
    VL  - 11
    IS  - 4
    ER  - 

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Author Information
  • Department of Civic and Ethical Studies, College of Social Science and Humanities, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia

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