Ethiopian’ devotion conflict resolution
Tesfaye Lemma
In many parts of our country people exercise various types of conflict resolution mechanism. The mechanisms are not officially declared. They are rather informally ingrained in the cultural system
of the people.
The mechanisms are not limited to settling conflicts temporarily but go as far as putting in place a durable solution for the causes. It also works towards restoring the social interaction between the conflicting parties.
The main reason behind the systems insistence in bringing about sustainable settlement is that they have strong ties with religious and moral values.
Among the traditional conflict resolution mechanisms in Ethiopia are “arbitration” among Amhara and Tigray, Arara in Kereyu, Jarsuma in some parts of Oromia, Otuba in Sidama, Gerad in Somali and Gereb in Afar.
Abagar, Sheh Laga and Zewold are the prominent practices of dispute resolution in North and South Wollo Zones of Amhara Region. Abagars are elders who sit to settle dispute. Originally Ababgar was a typical dispute resolution system around Yisma Nigus, Ambassel Woreda of South Wollo Zone. The seven kebeles of Ambassel woredas have their own respective Abagars. Though it was a traditional one, now it is becoming famous among the educated section of the community as government also wants to reinforce it.
Abagar literally means an elder who mediates between disputants. When someone kills another person the family of the killer seeks the intervention of the Abagars. They sit for a range of time between a week up to a month.
Even if the killer flees and hides somewhere, the Abagars deal with their counterparts of the area for his extradition and stand for reconciliation. People of the area where a killer is hiding also do not host such fugitive for long. They rather apprehend him and pressurize him to appeal to the Abagar of his original place for reconciliation.
Both Moslems and Christians of the area have their own distinct forms of mediating disputes through Abagars. Since it enables to maintain the religious values of both people it is believed that it has contributed a lot in setting an exemplary practice in religious tolerance and diversity.
Entitlement for the position of Abagar is hereditary. The criteria for a man to heir the position include his legal or criminal track record, among others.
One of the most fascinating features of the traditional dispute resolution mechanisms is that conflicting sides who have settled their disputes through the mediation of Abagars do not revert to avenge each other or even to legally sue the offender.
But a killer who has already received jail terms by the state justice authorities is still expected to appeal to Abagars and seek reconciliation with the other family up on release from jail to rejoin the community.
Prior to presiding the reconciliation, Abagars negotiate with the family of both sides separately. Then official reconciliation ceremony takes place before the community.
Families of the deceased may take some time to express their consent to accept the deal, but no member of the community refuses to accept the reconciliation of the Abagars. People of other community also accept the reconciliation.
The Sheh Lega Arbitration system is practiced around Guba Lafto Woreda of North Wollo. The system derived its name from its founder, Sheh Lega, who was an elder of the area in the past. Years after his death, the system he established has survived to date and is currently in use by the community.
Currently the chief arbitrator is Sheikh Mohammad Siraj, the Grand Son of Sheh Lega. “The arbitration system of Sheh Lega is a system handed down from our forefathers and is a practice that is Allah
likes; we arbitrate people during homicide, looting of cattle or property and assault.”
According to Sheh Lega arbitration system, the arbitration process is initiated by the family of the perpetrator of the offense. After someone kills somebody, family of the deceased go to attend the
mourning with an intention to appease the bereaved family from the possible reprisal and accept their request for reconciliation.
In the course of the mourning elders who sit for the arbitration, establish the arbitration courtroom with tent and curtain. They summon prominent members of the deceased family for the arbitration. They
request the family to promise to accept the arbitration and indemnity.
The arbitration process takes 5 to 8 days depending on the distance between the people involved in the affair. In addition to homicide, Sheh lega is assumed to arbitrate cases of robbery and assault. After
People make an appeal to the arbitrators they call on the accused side and return the property claimed. Many people do not deny any case raised against them. They even admit any offense that they do not even admit in a court.
Zewold Arbitration System Like the other systems, Zewold are also handed down from the past generation. The system has a statute with 24 articles and has been given recognition by the state
administration since 1992. The system is said to have existed since the reign of the Era of the Princes (….) assisting the governments task of ensuring justice between people. Unlike Abagar and Sheh Lega’s system, the arbitrators of zewold are elected through popular participation. People screen the behavioral conduct of nominated elders before electing them for the position.
The process presupposes that the position requires the integrity of the nominees as it is highly related to their daily life. Statute of Zewold has clearly stipulated the type and amount of indemnification or fine for a specific offense.
For instance unintentional homicide is punishable with 10,000 birr while intentional one, in other words blood feud is punishable by 15,000 birr. In accordance with the provisions of Zewold arbitration system, elders request the permission of the government prior to launching the process of arbitration which normally follows the request of the perpetrators side.
While indemnifying families of the deceased, the killer is expected to surrender to justice authorities to face trial in accordance with the criminal code of the country. The role of Zewolds arbitration here is that it guarantees peaceful relations between the two sides after the unfortunate incident.