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Mobile Peoples, Contested Borders: Land use Conflicts and Resolution Mechanisms among Borana and Guji Communities, Southern Ethiopia

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  • McPeak, John G.
  • Little, Peter D.

Abstract

The article explores the determinants of different types of land-use disputes and institutional mechanisms for their settlement in the agro-pastoral and pastoral areas of Borana and Guji zones, southern Ethiopia. The analysis uses both household survey and qualitative interview data to answer the following questions: (1) what are the effects of spatial location on types of land use disputes experienced by households; (2) what types of boundary/border disputes are experienced by pastoralists within and between different ethnic groups; (3) what are the principal social and economic determinants of land use disputes; and (4) what factors determine the level of satisfaction by different parties in dispute settlement? We show that despite widespread land use changes in the area and the emergence of private enclosures on communal grazing lands, disputes around administrative borders trump all other determinants of conflict. We also find significant spatial and scale differences in the incidence of conflict, and that different types of conflict are taken to different conflict resolution institutions. Along these lines we also demonstrate that overall conflict and dissatisfaction with conflict resolution outcomes are more pronounced among the more mobile, livestock-dependent segment of the population than other groups. Finally, the article highlights the importance of understanding political and historical factors related to land rights and disputes as necessary for proposed land tenure programs in the area.

Suggested Citation

  • McPeak, John G. & Little, Peter D., 2018. "Mobile Peoples, Contested Borders: Land use Conflicts and Resolution Mechanisms among Borana and Guji Communities, Southern Ethiopia," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 119-132.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:wdevel:v:103:y:2018:i:c:p:119-132
    DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2017.10.001
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Haro, Guyo O. & Doyo, Godana J. & McPeak, John G., 2005. "Linkages Between Community, Environmental, and Conflict Management: Experiences from Northern Kenya," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 33(2), pages 285-299, February.
    2. Boku Tache & Gufu Oba, 2009. "Policy-driven Inter-ethnic Conflicts in Southern Ethiopia," Review of African Political Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 36(121), pages 409-426, September.
    3. repec:bla:devpol:v:22:y:2004:i::p:381-403 is not listed on IDEAS
    4. repec:gig:afjour:v:43:y:2008:i:1:p:19-38 is not listed on IDEAS
    5. Little, Peter D. & Debsu, Dejene Negassa & Tiki, Waktole, 2014. "How pastoralists perceive and respond to market opportunities: The case of the Horn of Africa," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 49(P2), pages 389-397.
    6. Cossins, Noel J. & Upton, Martin, 1987. "The Borana pastoral system of Southern Ethiopia," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 25(3), pages 199-218.
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    1. Bekele, Adugna Eneyew & Drabik, Dusan & Dries, Liesbeth & Heijman, Wim, 2022. "Large-scale land investments and land-use conflicts in the agro-pastoral areas of Ethiopia," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    2. Yanbo, Qu & Shilei, Wang & Yaya, Tian & Guanghui, Jiang & Tao, Zhou & Liang, Meng, 2023. "Territorial spatial planning for regional high-quality development – An analytical framework for the identification, mediation and transmission of potential land utilization conflicts in the Yellow Ri," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 125(C).
    3. Sakketa, Tekalign Gutu & Maggio, Dan & McPeak, John, 2025. "The protective role of index insurance in the experience of violent conflict: Evidence from Ethiopia," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 174(C).
    4. Nathaniel Jensen & Jose Lopez-Rivas & Karlijn Morsink & Emma Rikken, 2025. "Weathering Conflict: The Effect of Resource Shocks on Livestock Raids," CSAE Working Paper Series 2025-02, Centre for the Study of African Economies, University of Oxford.
    5. Johnson, McKenzie F. & Rodríguez, Luz A. & Quijano Hoyos, Manuela, 2021. "Intrastate environmental peacebuilding: A review of the literature," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    6. Klaus Deininger & Aparajita Goyal, 2024. "Land Policies for Resilient and Equitable Growth in Africa [Des politiques foncières pour une croissance résiliente et équitable en Afrique - Résumé analytique]," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 41451.
    7. Sakketa, Tekalign Gutu & Maggio, Dan & McPeak, John, 2023. "The Protective Role of Index Insurance in the Experience of Violent Conflict: Evidence from Ethiopia," 2023 Seventh AAAE/60th AEASA Conference, September 18-21, 2023, Durban, South Africa 365977, African Association of Agricultural Economists (AAAE).
    8. Edeh, Hyacinth O. & Mavrotas, George & Balana, Bedru B., 2022. "Land tenure security and preferences to dispute resolution pathways among landholders in Nigeria," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).

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