Conflict destroys the very bases of development: environmental resource, economic infrastructure, and the social and civic ties that permit and sustain development. Understanding the nature, causes and consequences of conflict through scientific inquiry is indispensable to conflict prevention and management endeavours. Among the major causes of conflict, it is possible to mention such factors as a breakdown of governmental structures, increased pressure over natural resources (e.g. grazing land) and ethnic and religious differences, which can be exploited by domestic power elite and international business interests. Conflict leads, among other things, to breakdown of law and order, disruption of economic activities, humanitarian crises (e.g. displacement of people, including vulnerable groups such as women and children) and a state of uncertainty that deter long run investment efforts and stability.
It is, therefore, important to improve our understanding of the nature, causes and consequences of conflict in the Horn with a view to deliberating on possible measures to be undertaken towards conflict prevention, resolution, and post-conflict reconstruction.
The Ethiopian Chapter of OSSREA held its Second Annual Workshop from 8th to 9th June 2001, at Imperial Hotel, Addis Ababa. The workshop focused on this theme: Conflict in the Horn: Prevention and Resolution. Participants (55 in number) represented academic institutions, research institutions, the public sector, the private sector, and NGOs. Eighteen papers were represented at the workshop.
The papers were presented and discussed under three sub-themes:
1. Causes of conflict and state policies;
2. Ethnicity and conflict;
3. Indigenous mechanisms for the prevention and resolution of
conflict (see workshop programme).
The participants were enthusiastic and active during floor discussions. Presentation of papers was followed by discussion of major issues and policy options. During this time, the participants deliberated on the nature and causes of conflicts and they gave interesting recommendations.
A business session was held at the end of the workshop. A relatively large number of members of the chapter (37 compared to 25 during the first workshop) attended the session.
The Liaison Officer presented reports of activities undertaken since the first general assembly of members, which was held on March 4, 2000. Members deliberated on problems encountered by the liaison office and gave useful suggestions. Among the decisions of the assembly, the following are worth mentioning. First, contact persons were established in twelve institutions. Second, tentative themes were suggested for the third annual workshop. Third, members recommended that a centre be established for the study and documentation of conflict and its resolution in the Horn.
The following summaries are prepared pending the publication of the proceedings of the workshop.
Dejene Aredo
Liaison Officer
OSSREA Ethiopia Chapter
