Bahir Dar University

Faculty of Social Science

Department of Political Science and International Studies

A Thesis on Investigating the Challenges and Prospects of Peace and

Security at Bahir Dar city Administration: the Case of Tana Sub-
city, Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia

By: Tekeba Metalign

June, 2024
Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

i
Investigating the Challenges and Prospects of Peace and Security at

Bahir Dar city Administration: the Case of Tana Sub-city, Amhara

Regional State, Ethiopia

A Thesis Submitted to the Department of Political Science and

International Studies of Bahir Dar University for the Partial

Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Art in

Peace and Conflict Studies

By: Tekeba Metalign

Advisor : Getaneh Kumie (Assistant Professor), Department of

Political Science and International Studies

June, 2024

Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

ii
 Declaration

The thesis entitled “Investigating the Challenges and Prospects of Peace and Security at Bahir
Dar city Administration: the Case of Tana Sub-city, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia” is my own
original work and has not been presented for a degree, diploma or fellowship to any other
University and that all the sources of materials used for the thesis have been done by respecting
research ethics.

Declared by: Tekeba Metalign

Signature: __________________

Date: __________________

Place: Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia

This thesis has been submitted for examination with my approval as an advisor for this
candidate.

Advisor’s Name: __________________

Signature: ________________

Date ____________________

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 Certification

This is to certify that the thesis “Investigating the Challenges and Prospects of Peace and
Security at Bahir Dar city Administration: the Case of Tana Sub-city, Amhara Regional State,
Ethiopia” is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of Masters degree
for Bahir Dar University, Faculty of Social Science, Department of Political Science and
International Studies done by Tekeba Metalgne is submitted with my approval.

Approved Board of Examiners

Name Signature Date

Chairperson ________________________________ _______________ _______________

Internal Examiner ___________________________ _______________ _______________

External Examiner ___________________________ _______________ _______________

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 Acknowledgement
First and for most I would like to thank the Almighty God who blessed me and gave the courage
to complete this work. It was impossible without his blessing to accomplish this task.

My advisor Getahun Kumie (Assistant Professor), who assisted me much in doing this thesis by
giving his courageous advice, contributed a lot in the finalization of the work. Therefore, I would
like to say thank you him heartily.

Finally, there are also different contributors for the finalization of this work who contributed a lot
for this work. I would like to thank members of Tana Sub-city police, peace and security and
militia offices, who assisted me by giving different data sources. Members of the community
who participated in the focus group discussions and interview processes, deserved gratitude.

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 Contents
Topics Page

Acknowledgement……………………………………………………………………………..

Table of Contents ……………………………………………………………………………..

List of Tables …………………………………………………………………………………..
List of Acronyms and Abbreviations..............................................................................................iii

Abstract……………………………………………………………………………………………………

CHAPTER ONE - INTRODUCTION............................................................................................1

1.1 Background of the study...................................................................................................1

1.2 Statement of the problem..................................................................................................4

1.3 Objective of the study.......................................................................................................5

1.4 Research questions............................................................................................................5

1.5 Scope of the Study............................................................................................................6

1.6 Significance of the study...................................................................................................6

1.7 Limitation of the Study.....................................................................................................6

1.8. Operational Definition of Key Terms ……………………………………………………….......

1.8 Organization of the study..................................................................................................7

CHAPTER TWO – REVIEW OF RELATERD LITRATURES.....................................................7

2.1. The Concepts of Peace and Security.................................................................................7

2.2. Factors Related to Peace and Security in Cities................................................................9

2.3. Peace and Security Related Issues..................................................................................10

3.4. The Major Actors and Agencies in Ensuring Peace and Security at Tana Sub-city……….

2.5. The Sources of Instability and Conflict in the in the Study Area………………………….

2.6. The Challenges and Prospects of Peace and Stability in the Sub-city……………………..

2.7. Theoretical Framework of the research..........................................................................14

CHAPTER THREE - METHODOLOGY.....................................................................................15

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 3.1. Descriptive of Study area................................................................................................15

3.2. Research Paradigm…………………………………………………………………………

3.3. Research Approach…………………………………………………………………………

3.4. Research Design..............................................................................................................17

3.5. Data Sources……………………………………………………………………………….

3.6. Population and Sampling Size........................................................................................17

3.7. Sampling Techniques .....................................................................................................18

38. Inclusion Criteria……………………………………………………………………………

3.9. Data collecting tools........................................................................................................19

3.10. Data Analysis Method.....................................................................................................19

3.11. Data Quality Assurance...............................................................................................20

3.12. Ethical Consideration 20

CHAPTER FOUR - FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION ………………………………………..

4.1. The Key Actors and Agencies in Ensuring Peace and Security at Tana Sub-city…………….

4.2. The Causes of Insecurity and Conflict in the Study area……………………………………..

4.3. The Challenges of Peace and Security in the Sub-city………………………………………..

4.4. The prospects of Peace and Security in the Sub-City…………………………………………

UNIT FIVE - CONCLUSION ABD RECOMMENDATIONS ……………………………….

5.1. Conclusions …………………………………………………………………………………..

5.2. Recommendations…………………………………………………………………………….

References.....................................................................................................................................21

Appendix …………………………………………………………………………………………

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 List of Tables
Table 1………………………………………………………………………………………………
Table 2………………………………………………………………………………………………

viii
 List of Acronyms
AU – African Union

EPI – Ethiopian Peace Index

EPRDF – Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front

GPI - Global Peace Index

GPS – Governance, Peace and Security

IEP - Institute for Economics and Peace

IGAD – Inter-Governmental Authority Development

IOM – International Organization for Migration

IRB - Institutional Review Board

MA – Master of Arts

MENA- Middle East and North Africa

ND – No Date

NV – No Volume

PhD – Doctor of Philosophy

SIRC-Somalia International Rehabilitation Centre

TPLF – Tigray Peoples Liberation Front

UN – United Nation

UNDP – United Nations Development Program

UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

UNO – United Nations Organization

UNODC - United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

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 Abstract

Peace and security are essential for the overall development and growth of the society which
help in building trust, foster cooperation and promotes stability in a country. Peace and security
are the foundations of sustainable development and growth. But building peace and security is a
challenge for many countries in the world like that Ethiopia. Building peace and security is also
a challenge at Tana Sub-city. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to investigate the
challenges and prospects of peace and security at Tana Sub-city in Bahir Dar City
Administration. The research applied constructivist research paradigm, qualitative research
approach, phenomenological research design, thematic data analysis and purposive sampling
technique. Interview informants, focus group discussants and documents were the main sources
of data for this study. The findings of the study revealed that, the key actors to ensure peace and
security at Tana Sub-city are grouped into governmental and non-governmental actors. The
executive, legislative and judiciary branches of the government are the key governmental actors
in ensuring peace and security. The members of the community, elders, youth, women, religious
leaders, civic societies and higher education institutions are the key non-governmental actors to
bring peace and stability. Political disagreement at the national level, low level of democratic
and political development in the country, the escape of prisoners, inflation, displacement,
poverty and unemployment, disrespect to the indigenous cultural values and norms, lack of good
governance, illegal proliferation and trade of firearms, the presence of illegal armed forces,
inappropriate use of the media, lack of attention to public questions, corruption, the new security
reform program and economic inequalities are some of the sources of insecurities in the Sub-city.
The challenges to peace and security in the Sub-city are: attitude of illegal ways of personal
economic growth, lack of public discussion and participation, lack of commitment of government
officials, lack of trust with the government and governmental security forces, the existence of
political entrepreneurs and the prevailing war in the region. The study also identified the
prospects to bring peace and stability in the Sub-city. The existence of: government security
forces, non-governmental organizations like religious institutions, cultural and civic
organizations, regional and international organizations to promote peace and security, peace
loving and patriotic people and indigenous cultural institutions are some of the prospects of
peace and security in the Sub-city. To bring peace and security in the Sub-city all key actors to
peace and security can work hard in cooperation.

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Key words: Challenges, peace, prospect, security

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 CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION
1.1 .Background of the study
Literally, the word peace is derived from the original Latin word pax, which means a pact, a
control or an agreement to end war or dispute and conflict between two people, two nations or
two antagonistic groups of people (Bloomsbury as cited in Khemanando, 1995).According to
Albert Einstein‘s view, peace is not only an absence of war, but it means or includes the presence
of justice, law, order or government in the society. Peace is not merely the absence of war but the
presence of justice, of law, of order – in short, of government (Vesilind, 2005).For Martin Luther
King peace is the absence of the unhappy situations which must include justice in society. True
peace is not merely the absence of tension: It is the presence of justice (Kin, 2008).According to
Galtung (1995) Peace is the absence of violence and should be used as the social goal.

Peace is a condition that ensures justice and social stability through

formal and informal institutions, practices and norms. Peace is not only the absence of violence,
it is much more than. Peace is best understood through the concepts of positive peace and
negative peace. Negative peace is the absence of violence or the fear of violence where as
Positive peace is the attitudes, institutions and structures, that when strengthened, lead to
peaceful societies (Miller and King, as cited in Redae, 2020). A positive peace addresses the
underlying tensions and inequalities to build a society where everyone is free to reach their full
potential. Through attitudes, institutions and structures, positive peace helps to create conditions
in which communities can coexist, flourish and have equitable access to resources (Harrowell &
Tandon, 2016).According to Galtung (1964) negative peace is the absence of human violence
and war but positive peace as the absence of structural violence.

Security is one of the most important needs of human beings and it has become one of the
fundamental issues not only for individuals but also for the states. It is the execution of the legal
order in social life without interruption. It is also the ability of people to live without fear of
safety. In human history, security is one of the fundamental concepts of the disciplines of
international relations. Since security has a dynamic structure, the concept of security has also

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changed cyclically and maintained its existence. Unique opportunities for the concept of security
emerged particularly during and after the cold war, arousing interest of many disciplines and
theorists. The concept of security, which continues its existence today, has changed and
deepened which confronted different threats (Tuncer, 2022). There are different forms of
security, including internal security, external security, food security and many others. As a result,
security has become a cornerstone of international development (Schroeder, 2010).

A great number of countries and societies are facing challenges to bring peace and security
arising from conflicts and violence related issues because of violent extremism or organized
crime issues that often are concentrated in urban areas (Altpeter, 2016). Institute for Economics
and Peace (2016) reported whilst the world experienced a slight increase in violence, the
economic growth moved in the opposite direction and decreased by two percent. The
deterioration in global peacefulness was largely attributable to increases in terrorism, higher
levels of conflict in the Middle East and North Africa and increases in the number of refugees
and internally displaced people.

Intra-State conflicts today are characterized by great complexity, increase the risk of excessive
deaths among the population as a whole, disproportionately affecting women and children (UN,
2020). In this regard, the United Nations (2020) pointed out globally, the scope and scale of
armed conflicts and violence evolving in the past. Internal conflicts have contributed to the
highest number of conflict related fatalities. Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP, 2022),
found that the average level of global peacefulness deteriorated by 0.3% annually. According to
the Institute for Economies and peace (IEP), five of the nine regions in the world showed
improvement in peacefulness in 2022. These are: Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, South
Asia and Middle East and North Africa. Global peacefulness for the other four deteriorated.
Moreover, the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP, 2016) reported that the world experienced
a slight increase in violence. This deterioration in global peacefulness was largely attributable to
increases in terrorism. Inter-Agency Standing Committee (2022) also showed that about 80% of
all humanitarian and development interventions are now delivered in conflict affected settings.

In the African continent and the Middle East, armed conflicts that caused lack of peace and
security have raised concern and attention both at domestic and international level (Grasa &
Mateos, 2010 & UN, 2020). The causes and rate of conflicts in Africa is complex. Most of the

2
conflicts are predominantly internal rebellions which involve on the one hand government armed
forces and on the other hand a group or groups of armed citizens of the same country and also it
become the epicenter of terrorism and violent extremism (Amani, 2022 & AU, 1999).

Violence and war occur when the democratic process based on dialogue and negotiation fail or
are inhibited by one or both warring parties and when justice is denied. This is the main
challenge for African leaders (SIRC, 2009). The peace and security scenery in contemporary
Africa is both heterogeneous and complex (AU, 2020). This complexity is aggravated by
economic relations who have a significant bearing on peace and security (UN, 2020). Different
literatures show that countries under poverty have highly affected by lack of peace and are
sensitive to different criminals. One can forget sustainable developments if no serious efforts are
undertaken for preventing violence (Reychler, 2006). In the Horn of Africa the peace and
security issues have a complex problem, with member states striving to secure the region but
often neglecting local communities. To address this, states should cooperate each other,
consolidate solidarity among them and invite the local people to participate in the peace and
security agenda. International actors should also support these efforts in various ways (Efa,
2018).

Peace, democracy and development are interrelated concepts which form three faces of a single
coin (Friedrich-Elbert-Stiftung Berlin, 2011). According to Reychler (2006), the challenges to
build effective peace, are characterized by uncertainty, unpredictability, competing values and
interests and the struggle for power. While a peaceful society is characterized by the ability to
create and sustain relationships based on reciprocal respect and a sense of shared interests among
diverse elements of the community (Levinger, 2010).

Unsurprisingly, the increasing numbers of armed conflicts of any kind or political tensions with
recurrent use of violence often take place in parallel to the negotiating situation (Grasa and
Mateos, 2010). Challenges related to internal conflicts, other countries interference and interest
and economic problems have great impact in peace building process in the Horn of Africa as a
result of political dynamics are changing very quickly in this area (Kidist, 2014).

Ethiopia is the most populated, multi-ethnic, diverse linguistic and religious country in the Horn
of Africa (SIRC, 2009). If these variations are not properly managed, they become the causes of
conflicts and violence. Reports show that, wars in Ethiopia can take shocking tolls and cause

3
immense civilian suffering (Crisis Group, 2023). Peace in Ethiopia has long faced significant
challenges, with conflicting events in the northern as well as other parts of the country
exacerbating the already delicate situation (Ministry of Peace, 2023). Therefore, investigating the
challenges and prospects of peace and security helps to overcome the challenges to peace and
security and to promote the prospects of peace and security at Tana Sub-city, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.

1.2 Statement of the problem

Peace and security are essential for the overall development and growth of the society by which
help in building trust, foster cooperation and promotes stability in a country. Peace and security
are the foundations of sustainable development and growth. But building this strong foundation
is a challenge for many countries in the world (Ministry of Peace, 2023)

There are different studies done on peace and security by different organizations and individuals.
The UN (2020) pointed out the means on preventing and addressing conflict and violence which
constitutes both a tremendous challenge and an urgent priority.

The United Nations Human Settlements Program (2012) showed that when prosperity is absent
or restricted to some groups in cities, when it is only enjoyed by
some parts of the city, when it is used to pursue specific interests or when it is a justification for
financial gains forth few to the detriment of the majority in the city, the city becomes the place
where the right to a shared prosperity is claimed and fought for. In light of this Urban Safety
Monitor (2014) explored that in many cities specially in low and middle income countries, high
levels of violence and insecurity are associated with rapid urbanization, inequality, and weak
governance.

According to Somalia International Rehabilitation Centre, durable peace must be based on the
existence of real social conditions and free institutions and justice that can sustain peace, and
sustainable peace is possible when conditions of human security, liberty and freedom are present.
Lack of peace or wars occur due to manmade institutions and organizations that contribute to a
state of war, conflict, fear and human insecurity (SIRC, 2009).
In many places, rapid urbanization is unchecked and unmanaged, leading to urban exclusion of
certain groups that causes societal tensions and conflicts (Altpeter, 2016).Peace building efforts
can include preventing the eruption of violent strife, resolving an ongoing conflict or assisting a
community in recovering from deadly violence (Levinger, 2010). Both studies made by (SIRC,
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2009), the United Nations Human Settlements Program (2012), Urban Safety Monitor (2014)
and Altpeter (2016) showed the causes of conflict, insecurity and lack peace in urban areas.

One of the studies conducted on peace and security in the Ethiopian context was a seminary
paper made by Yonas (2013) entitled as Peace and Security strategy of Ethiopia and its lessons to
the Horn of Africa. By his seminar paper, Yonas tried to show the peace and security strategies of
Ethiopia as a model for other countries of the Horn Africa. Lack empirical data was one of the
limitations of this seminar. The seminar was mostly a literature review. In it’s the seminar tried to
show lessons learnt from the peace and security strategy of Ethiopian by the countries of the
Horn of Africa. But the seminar paper did not actually show the lessons learnt from Ethiopia by
the countries of the Horn of Africa.

Strengthening state institutions and enhancing their capacity to provide security and development
based on the principles of good governance are essential for sound conflict management and to
solve such a challenge (Mulunesh, 2019). Mulunesh published an article entitled as the Causes of
ethnic conflict in Ethiopia and its effect on development: The case Amhara and Gumuz
communities. Her study was depend on empirical data and applied qualitative method of research
approach which can help to deeply investigate the causes of ethnic conflict between the Amhra
and Gumuz ethnic groups and its effect on development. This study did not show the key actors
to bring peace and security in the ethnic conflict between the Amharas and the Gumuz. The study
did not also show the challenges and prospect to bring peace and security between the Amhara
and Gumuz ethnic groups. The research design is not properly addressed in the article.

Kidist (2014), made a study on the role of regional powers in the field of peace and security in
the case of Ethiopia. In her work, Kidist tried to show the role of Ethiopia in bringing peace and
security in Africa in general and the Horn specifically and the challenges Ethiopia faced as a
regional power to bring peace and security. Her study did not show properly the role of regional
powers in bringing peace and security in Ethiopia. She work also ignored the local actors to
peace and security.

Efa (2018) who studied on the Challenges and Prospects of Building Sustainable Peace and
Security in the Horn of Africa highlights the need for local communities as the key actors in
bringing peace and security in the Horn of Africa. He applied qualitative research approach. But
his article was too shallow as qualitative research. He did no not deeply investigate the

5
challenges and prospects of building sustainable peace and security in the Horn of Africa. He
also did not address the research design he applied in the study.

Amhara National Regional State is one of the administrative regions in Ethiopia that experienced
lack of peace and security. The region experienced six conflict theaters, driven by identity based
displacements, territorial disputes, political realignments, economic issues, ethnic federalism,
and the region's complex security problems over time (Atrsaw, 2023). Atrsaw’s work on conflict
trends report in Amhara Region was not an empirical study. This paper lacked the empirical data.
It also did not properly show the causes of insecurity, key actors to peace and security, challenges
and prospects of peace and security in the region. Generally, such studies which focused on
peace and security contribute positive role in building peace and security in the study area.

However, none of the above researches deal with the challenges and prospects of peace and
security. There are no sufficient studies conducted on the challenges and prospects of peace and
security in the study area. On the basis of these research gaps, therefore, this research work
intended to investigate the challenges and prospects of peace and security in Bahir Dar city
administration: the case Tana Sub-city. Bahir Dar City administration was selected as a study
area since it is the center of the Amhara National Regional State and Tana Sub-city was selected
as the study area since most of the regional bureaus and some federal offices are found in the
Sub-city. The Sub-city is also found near to the tourist attraction areas as it is located near Lake
Tana. Lake Tana is a source of rich cultural and historical heritages. In relation to this most of the
finest hotels are also built in the Sub-city. This made the city in general and the sub-city in
particular very sensitive to lack of peace and stability. Therefore, this research tried to investigate
the challenges and prospects of peace and security in Bahir Dar city administration at Tana sub-
city.
1.2.1 General objective
The overall objective of this study is to investigate the challenges and prospects of peace and
security in Tana sub-city, Bahir Dar City Administration, Amhara National Regional State,
Ethiopia.

1.2.2 Specific Objectives

The study has the following specific objectives. These are:

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  To identify the major actors and agencies in ensuring Peace and security at Tana sub-city.
 To explore the sources of insecurities in the study area
 To investigating the challenges of peace and security in the sub-city.
 To assess the prospects of peace and security in the Sub-city.

1.3 Research Questions

Based on the research objectives, the basic research questions of the study that guided this
research are listed as follows:

What are the major key actors and agencies to ensure peace and security at Tana sub-city?
What are the major sources of insecurity in the study area?
What are the challenges that affect of peace and security in the sub-city?
What are the prospects of peace and security in the Sub-city?

1.5. Scope of the Study

This thesis is delimited both in thematically, geographically and time. Geographically, the
research is restricted only in Bahir Dar city administration of Tana sub-city. The study
conceptually focused on investigating the challenges and prospects of peace and security in
Bahirdar city administration: the case of Tana sub-city. This study covered the time or period
since 2022.
1.6. Significance of the study
This study has also its own significance for public leaders, researchers and readers on peace and
security issues. The following are some of the significances of the study: The findings of this
study assist public leaders and policy makers to know the challenges and prospects of peace and
security in Bahir Dar City Administration in general and at Tana Sub-City in particular. The
research also helps researchers to conduct further research on the field. Finally, this research
work can be used as a body of knowledge for readers and other researchers on the area of study.

1.7. Limitation of the Study

In conducting this research work, the researcher has faced some challenges while data collection.
When the researcher collected data, there are some challenges that faced the researcher. The
prevailing war in the region was the first major challenge to the researcher. Since the title of the
study is highly associated with the current political instability in the region, informants and focus

7
group discussants first refused to give any data sources. According to informants and focus
group discussants of the study, they refrain to give data sources for the researcher because they
feared that their interviews and focus group discussions with the researcher may be interpreted
differently by the two combatant forces (governmental and Amhara Fano armed forces) in the
region. But finally, the researcher convinced them that their interviews and focus group
discussion are secured and anonymous. They were also informed to stop their interviews and
discussions when they feel insecure.
As a result, all the participants of the study agreed to make interviews and focus group
discussions without video recordings. Therefore, to avoid their fears, the researcher used only
audio recordings. Shortage of time was another constraint for this research. All government
security forces in the Sub-city are very busy because of the current political instability in the
region. Therefore, the researcher tried to manage the shortage of time for interview informants
and focus group discussants by arranging free times.
1.8. Organization of the study
This thesis was organized in to five chapters. The first chapter is the introduction part which
covers a brief background of the study, statement of the problem, objective of the study, research
questions, scope of the study, significance of the study, organization of the study and operational
definition of key terms. The second chapter deals with review of related literatures that are
related to peace and security. This chapter also included the conceptual frame and related
literatures that the study was guided. The third chapter deals with the research methodology
which included description of the study area, research paradigm, research approach, research
design, the sources of data, sampling technique, data collection instruments, data analysis
techniques, ethical considerations and trust worthiness of the research. The fourth chapter deals
with findings and discussion. In this chapter the major findings of the study were briefly showed
in relation to other literatures. The last chapter that is chapter five deals with the conclusions and
recommendations. In this chapter major conclusions were drawn based on the findings of the
study. Finally, recommendations were given based on the findings of the study.
1.9. Operational Definition of Key Terms
Challenges – barriers or obstacles to bring peace and stability
Conflict – disagreement between two or more individuals, groups, countries and etc
Insecurity – the state of being not free from danger or harm

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Key actors – the major stakeholders in bringing peace and security
Negative peace – the absence of war or violence
Positive peace – a true, long lasting and sustainable presence of social justice and absence of
violence
Prospects – the chance of being successful in bringing peace and stability in the fiture
Security – the state of being free from danger or harm
Sources of insecurity - the causes of instability and lack of security

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 CHAPTER TWO
2. LITERATURE REVIEW

Introduction

This chapter deals with literature review. The researcher tried to review the different literatures
done by different individuals and organizations. Based on this, the following topics are reviewed.
These were: the concepts of peace and security, factors related to peace and security in cities,
peace and security related issues, theoretical frame work of the research, major actors and
agencies in ensuring peace and security, the sources of insecurity and conflict and challenges and
prospects of peace and security.

2.1. The Conceptual Frame work

2.1.1. The Concept of Peace and Security
Since the end of the Cold War, it has become a common view to assert that peace and
development are intimately linked one another and that the United Nations and other
international actors need to address the twin imperatives for security and development through
integrated policies and programs (Tschirgi, 2003).

Literally, the word peace is derived from the original Latin word pax, which means a pact, a
control or an agreement to end war or dispute and conflict between two people, two nations or
two antagonistic groups of people (Bloomsbury as cited in Khemanando, 1995).According to
Albert Einstein‘s view, peace is not only an absence of war, but it means or includes the presence
of justice, law, order or government in the society. Peace is not merely the absence of war but the
presence of justice, of law, of order – in short, of government (Vesilind, 2005).For Martin Luther
King peace is the absence of the unhappy situations which must include justice in society. True
peace is not merely the absence of tension: It is the presence of justice (Kin, 2008).According to
Galtung (1995) Peace is the absence of violence and should be used as the social goal.

Peace is more than the absence of war. Peace researchers often qualify the absence of direct
violence, such as outright warfare, terrorism and physical harm, as negative peace. This is to say
that the threat of immediate physical harm has been lessened, but the root causes that
underpinned this violence have not been addressed (Harrowell & Tandon, 2016). Different
literatures stated components of peace and security which include the protection and preservation

10
of life and property, the well-being of population and the environment, creation of conditions
conducive to sustainable development, prevention of armed conflicts by promoting democratic
practices, good governance and the rule of law, protecting human rights and fundamental
freedoms, respect for the sanctity of human life and international humanitarian law as part of
efforts for preventing conflicts. There are also different activities to bring peace and security
after conflict happened including: peacemaking processes, peace support operations, post-
conflict reconstruction and peace building, combat transnational security challenges including
violent extremism and terrorism, and the prevention and management of humanitarian and
disaster emergencies (Brusset & Milante, 2021).The pillars of peace consist of the following
elements: well-functioning government, sound business environment, equitable distribution of
resources, acceptance of the rights of others, good relations with neighbors, free flow of
information, high levels of education, low levels of corruption (IEP, 2016).

Security is the process by which political decisions are made and implemented smoothly
(Schroeder, 2010). The term security sector includes the core executive security actors of a state
that is predominantly the police force, the military force and intelligence services as well as the
civil authorities responsible for their management and democratic oversight (Schroeder, 2010).
Conflict forecasting is one of the most exciting fields for peace building (Escobal et al, 2018).
Security in Africa has included military security, in terms of its conventional meaning namely:
the military where with all of the state its military forces and the ability of those forces to defend
and protect the integrity of the state (AU, 1999).

According to the Turkish Language Society security is “the execution of the legal order in social
life without interruption, the ability of people to live without fear, safety” (Tuncer, 2022). “It is
the feeling of being safe from harm and danger” (Acikmese, 2011). Dedeoglu has defined it as
“the activities of states, societies, groups, and individuals to protect and maintain their existence,
to eliminate the elements that threaten them and to reshape them each time according to the
dynamics of the conjuncture” (Dedeoglu, 2004)

The domestic security of a state’s population is mostly measured by indicators generated in the
fields of law enforcement and criminology. Criminologists traditionally use three major sources
of data to measure the status of internal security in a state. These are: victimization, surveys and
perceptions of safety and crime (Schroeder, 2010). Crime statistics are recorded by the police and

11
are at least at first glance, the most authoritative and objective datasets available (Schroeder,
2010). Bad security sector governance, on the other hand refers to dysfunctional security sectors
that pose threats to the citizens of a state or community instead of providing for their security or
to situations in which democratic civilian authority over the security sector is limited or even
completely missing (Schroeder, 2010).

2.2. Literature Review

2.2.1. Factors Related to Peace and Security in Cities

According to United Nations Human Settlements Program (2012), a prosperous city has the
following major characteristics. These are: Infrastructure development, Quality of life and Equity
and social inclusion.

Productivity contributes to economic growth and development, generates income, and provides
decent jobs and equal opportunities for all by implementing effective economic policies and
reforms. Infrastructure development: This provides adequate infrastructures like water,
sanitation, roads, information and communication technology in order to improve urban living
and enhance productivity, mobility and connectivity. Quality of life: It is the enhancement and
use of public spaces in order to increase community cohesion, civic identity and guarantees the
safety and security of lives and property. Equity and social inclusion: ensures the equitable
distribution and redistribution of the benefits of a prosperous city, reduces poverty and the
incidence of slums, protects the rights of minority and vulnerable groups, enhances gender
equality, and ensures civic participation in the social, political and cultural spheres.

2.2.2. Peace and security related Issues

Political system

The political system as it is related to the security of the person, the group, the promotion and
protection of human rights in all its dimensions is a crucial factor to peace and security of a
country. Political, civil, economic, social and cultural rights of persons which includes freedom
of movement, freedom of speech, freedom from arbitrary arrest, etc are components of political
rights. The security of the state also lies with its people, and this presupposes their ability,
determination, commitment and desire to bring security in a state (AU, 1999).

12
Well-functioning government which is the first pillar of peace and security is expressed as based
on its several factors, from how governments are elected and the political culture they engender,
to the quality of the public services they deliver and their political stability. Strong relationships
across a number of these indicators and sub-indicators demonstrate the interdependent nature of
the various governance indicators. These measures are consistently linked to peace (IEP, 2016).

The EPI (Ethiopian Peace Index) study has found that ethnic centrality appears to be nourishing
by political forms of civic engagement, which empirically validates the hypothesis that political
actors or narratives may be a source of instability among communities in Ethiopia. So, for
political parties to overcome the temptations of political conspiracy theories and unwarranted
narratives that lead to violent political struggles by pitting communities against one another
(Ministry of Peace, 2023).There are different forms of violence including direct and structural,
infrastructural, criminal, insurgent and state led (Elfversson et al, 2023).

According to the Ethiopian ministry of peace on the Ethiopian Peace Index study, strengthening
community and intergroup relations; more objective decision-making by local leaders; capacity
building to address bias and favoritism (perceived or real); fostering peace skills amongst
individuals; and, fostering cooperation between members of the community, local administrators
and traditional leaders were crucial variable to build peace. Ethiopia, like many developing
countries globally, demonstrates a number of indicators of internal fragility, which can be
characterized by: high levels of poverty, regional disparities expressed through occasional ethnic
conflicts in the least developed, remote areas, typically over access to sparse natural resources;
Weak capacity of governance structures at all levels, and democracy and human rights remain an
issue (Ministry of Peace, 2023).

Trust, Access and Function of Social Institutions

Human societies have institutions that regulate and socialize individuals in their relation with one
another and members of outside groups. These include churches, schools, the family, political
institutions etc., which either encourage or discourage violence and peace (Alagaw, 2012). Many
cultures have developed their own nuanced understanding of what lasting peace on-the-ground
looks and feels like (Harrowell & Tandon, 2016).

13
According to Somalia International Rehabilitation Centre (SIRC, 2009) durable peace must be
based on the existence of real social conditions and free institutions and justice that can sustain
peace and sustainable peace is possible when conditions of human security, liberty and freedom
are present. Popular protests are fueled by grievances related to inequality, restrictions on public
freedoms and civic space, corruption or perceptions of corruption and dissatisfaction with public
and social services (UN, 2020). Practices such as social listening to gauge communities’ levels of
trust in institutions and initiatives is one approach of resilient peacefulness as a multifaceted
phenomenon that manifests itself both at macro-level (state, national, regional and institutional)
and micro-level (individual, family and community) (Ministry of Peace, 2023).

Institutional reforms required for the peaceful management of conflict and the prevention of
emerging violent conflict (UN, 2013). Many cities across the globe are being undermined by
chronic insecurity and violence, which are often connected to crime challenges originating
beyond their municipal borders. In cities where risk factors cumulate and where institutional
settings and rule of law are weak, a structural context is created in which crime, violence and
criminal governance can flourish. The challenge for urban institutions is to find ways to
realistically engage in supporting communities and citizens; to build viable and trustworthy
propositions of governance; and to provide the necessary oversight and transparency that will
prevent these being subverted by illicit interests. Challenges in achieving inclusive forms of
governance continue to act as major triggers of conflict in the Horn of Africa. When substantial
groups are excluded from access to political spaces or a share of economic resources, these
frustrations erupt as social tensions or increased criminal activities such as terrorism and
trafficking of people and arms (Tana Forum, 2019).

Land is major economic factor and it is crucial for the development of a country to ensure
economic wellbeing, social equity, and environmental protection issues. Urban land use, social
inclusion, urban land value, and access to finance are all affected by good land use planning,
which is critical to securing urban land tenure. But if there is good urban land use it result
insecurity in urban areas (Fraol et al, 2023).

Some pieces of studies in different regions of the country including at Hawassa city municipality
show that good governance practices were hindered by various factors such as: corruption, poor
management, political interference, bureaucratic delay and incompetence (Tewodros et al, 2020).

14
In Dire Dawa City Administration, the major challenges of good governance and socio-economic
developments are lack of accountability and transparency, poverty, corruption, lack of building
legal, strong political and economic institutions, less public participation and disrespect of rule of
law (Desalegn, 2020). These challenges are not only the problem of Hawassa and Dire Dawa
cities; although the magnitude varies from city to city it exists in different urban areas. Generally,
often, the security situation in cities is seen as a direct outcome of the presence and the
performance of state institutions belonging to the justice and security sectors (Altpeter, 2016).

2.2.3. Potential Threats on Peace and Security

Cities that improve quality of life experience higher levels of prosperity and a safe and secure
life or all is an integral component of a prosperous city (United Nations Human Settlements
Program, 2012).It is important to realize that intrapersonal and societal forms of violence not
only affect the victims, but pose a threat to development goals for the society as a whole
(Altpeter, 2016).The local turn in peace building reflects a trend towards context specific, and
locally meaningful and owned measurement processes that address many of the challenge for
peace specifically to Everyday Peace Indicators (Brusset et al, 2022).

Institute for Economic and Peace (2016) stated that human beings encounter conflict regularly
whether at home, at work place, among friends, or on a more systemic level between ethnic,
religious or political groups. Human Security Research and Outreach Program (2016) pointed
out that early warning indicators of threats to security in urban areas which include rising murder
rates/gang activity and high levels of access to small arms; rapid population growth without
corresponding economic and social capital growth; dominance of organized crime syndicates and
gangs with respect to service delivery; levels of state-perpetrated violence; more frequent and
intense people-power events on city issues; a sudden increase in the number of violent crimes;
consistent, coherent threats from a senior government or external aggressor; and, rural-to-urban
and transnational migration figures. Traditional indicators of state fragility which includes infant
mortality rates may also result to impoverished urban environments. Slummy urban areas will
result in armed violence which breaks communities apart, undermines development, including
access to basic social services, and compromises economic growth and investment (UN, 2020).

15
2.2.4. Peace Feelings in Different Situations

In cities where risk factors cumulate and where institutional settings and rule of law are weak, a
structural context is created in which crime, violence and criminal governance can flourish
(UNOD, 2016). According to Elfversson et al (2023), peace in cities refers to actions and visions
that break away from destructive, confrontation and violence activities, establish new
relationships across polarized lines, and enables cooperation that improves everyday lives. Cities
can be centers for innovation and rising economies attracting foreign investment. They can also
offer economic opportunities and education. It is in the major cities and the capitals that
important stake-holders come together and where political decisions are taken when there is
peace and stability (Altpeter, 2016).

Preventing and addressing conflict and violence constitutes both a tremendous challenge and an
urgent priority (UN, 2020).In order to achieve a sustainable peace, countries have to install
political, economic and security structures and institutions that sustain peace (Reychler (2006).

2.2.5. The Major Actors and Agencies in Ensuring Peace and Security

The key actors in ensuring peace and security can be grouped into two broad groups. These are:
governmental and non-governmental actors.

Governmental Actors

One of the main actors that can protect the state and the community from insecurity and conflict
is the governmental security institutions. The term security sector includes the core executive
security actors of a state (i.e. predominantly the police force, the military force and intelligence
services) as well as other civil authorities responsible for their management and democratic
oversight (Schroeder, 2010).

Non-governmental Actors

One of the non-governmental actors in building peace and security are the civil societies. The
civil societies that are international, national and local can ensure peace and security if properly
managed and utilized. Civil society actors can play their own role in bringing peace and security
in a country by educating the people about the importance of peace and security and the

16
mechanisms to promote peace and security among the peoples of a country and countries of the
world. They can also give relief supports for victims of lack peace and security (Brett, 2011 &
Bette, 2016). In Kenya civil societies like Justice and Peace Commission, the Western Kenya
Human Rights Watch and Mount Elgon Peace Initiative are the key actors in building peace and
security (Mung’ou, 2018).

Religious institutions can have a strong positive influence in bringing peace and stability in a
country (Bramble, 2023 & Kloster, 2022). In this aspect, the Free Pentecostal Fellowship
religious intuition in Kenya contributed a lot in facilitating the healing process among women by
offering psychological counseling, promoting economic empowerment, resolving land issues and
advocacy of human rights (Mung’ou, 2018).

Non-state armed forces are also the key actors in building peace and security which include the
private firearm owners, hunting associations and etc (Hofman & Schneckener, 2011 & Lar,
2017). Local traditional leaders can also play a key role in building peace and security by
defending the locality from the external attackers by using their own non-state security forces
(Lar, 2017).

The private business sectors are other major actors in building peace and security by making
participation in the peace making processes like in economic growth, dialogue, implementation
of the peace agreements, political participation and redistribution of resources, stability change
and transformation of security sector (Anderson et al, ND).

2.2.6. The Sources of Insecurity and Conflict

The sources of instability and conflict are multifaceted. They can vary depending on the regional
and cultural diversity. But according to governance, peace and security (GPS) data (2015), socio-
economic inequalities, injustice, joblessness (unemployment), natural resource management
problems, human rights abuse, political exclusion and corruption are the causes of lack of peace
and security.

In Africa negative colonial legacies, ethnic and religious tensions, political instabilities, lack of
good governance, corruption, autocratic rule, poverty, unemployment, economic inequalities,
human rights abuse, terrorism, foreign interference, climatic changes and environmental

17
degradations which results in resource scarcity are some of the sources of insecurity and conflicts
(Thelma, 2024).

Bad governance is one cause of insecurity which includes mal-administration, corruption,

difference and neglect, greediness and self-interest, religious and ideological conspirations, lack
of good governance and an intended negative impact of well-planned interventions (Reychler,
2006). Moreover, the criminalization of African economies creating large shadow economies is a
product of conflicts in Africa (AU, 1999). Altpeter (2016) stated that people are migrating into
urban areas in unprecedented numbers as a growing share of the population is living in the cities
characterized by instability, lack of infrastructures and inaccessible to public services, violence
and poverty as well as high disaster risk.

Abused historical narrations that created grievances among different ethnic groups, power
struggle between the central government and the regional states, land ownership disputes and
resource completion, tribal differences and ethnic mobilization, different political interests and
divergent views on democracy and federalism are the basic cases of conflict and instability in
Ethiopia (Berihu, 2021).

According Mulunesh (2019), the misuse of the media, proliferation of illegal fire arms, political
dichotomization and exclusion, the need for territorial rearrangements, ethnic misconceptions,
theft and resource competitions are the basic causes of ethnic conflict between the Amharas and
Gumuz. For Berihu (2021), wrong historical narrations and polarization, political entrepreneurs
who benefited from conflict and instability and the presence of weak political and governmental
institutions are the causes of instability and conflict in Ethiopia.

In Ethiopia, the major gaps which are hindering in implementing good governance in cities.
include, poverty and illiteracy, low participation of the community, corruption, past political
attitudes, lack of adequate skilled and devoted manpower, effects of globalization, conflicts,
wrong activists, lack of effective check and balance, interference and etc. were the key problems
(Fraol et al, 2023, Belachew et al, 2021,Tewodros et al, 2020, Desalegn, 2019). According to
Human Security and Cities Research (2016), internal conflicts that serve as sources of city
fragility includes scarcity conflicts, economic distribution conflicts, demographic and
acculturation conflicts, identity conflicts, power/electoral conflicts and strategic military

18
conflicts, and also urban-level conflicts can develop from competition over scarce resources such
as water, food, jobs, or especially land.

According to Almaw (2023), who conducted a study on the causes, practices and consequences
of youth protest in Amhara National Regional State: The case of Finote Selam City
Administration, economic inequalities, identity and boundary related questions, unemployment,
corruption, social, political, cultural and constitutional marginalization and lack democracy are
some of the causes of youth protest and conflict in Amhara National Regional State in general
and Finote Selem City Administration in particular against the government in 2016.

2.2.7. The Challenges and Prospects of Peace and Security

The challenges to peace and security are so diversified. But the following are some of the
challenges to peace and security. Obstacles to peace include historical legacies, intergroup
rivalries and grievances, local and environmental stressors, regional power dynamics, political
pressures and community specificities. In countries that succeed in building peace, exist until
violence is no longer a viable option for actors to resolve conflicts (Brusset and Milante, 2021).

Armed conflict, terrorism, political crisis, democracy and governance deficits are the challenges
to peace and security (Elowson & Albuquerque, 2016). For Adedokum (2017) socio-economic
problems such as poverty and economic inequality, unemployment, rapid urban drift, land
insecurity and malnutrition; dominance of the ruling political party over other parties, security
sector review reform and natural resource competition are the challenges of peace and security in
Mozambique.

Security challenges and ethnic conflict occurs when a particular set of factors, interests and
conditions converge. These are: major structural crisis, presence of historical memories of inter-
ethnic grievances, institutional factors that promote ethnic intolerance, manipulation of historical
memories by political entrepreneurs to evoke emotions such as fear, resentment and hate toward
the others and an inter-ethnic competition over resources and rights (Mulunesh, 2019). In light of
this, achieving positive peace in Ethiopia is very complex, challenging and time taking endeavor
(Temesgen, 2015).

According to Alemayehu (2011), genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity, electoral
violence, transitional justice, terrorism and unlawful use of marine resources are some of the

19
challenges for peace and security. Solomon (2014) also tried to list out some of the challenges of
peace and security. Accordingly, undemocratic government system, poverty and low levels of
development, a political culture of intolerance and lack of respect for the rule of law are some of
the challenges for peace and security.

As there are challenges for peace and security there are also some prospects. The existence of
different indigenous cultural values such as: respect to others, cooperation and tolerance to others
and indigenous system of solving conflicts are some of the prospects of peace and security
(Annan, 2014). The existence of different regional and global organization like that of IGAD to
bring peace and stability is another prospect (Annan, 2014; Alemayehu, 2011; Solomon, 2014, &
Olu et al, 2015). According to Kidist (2014), Ethiopia’s military power, population size, relative
internal stability and diplomatic strength have enabled it to position itself as a regional power
and to drive regional peace and security initiatives

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 CHAPTER THREE
3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Introduction

This chapter deals with the methodological part of the research. the chapter comprises of: the
description of the study area, the research paradigm, the research approach, the research design,
data sources, population and sampling size, sampling technique, inclusion criteria, data
collecting tools, data analysis method, data quality assurance methods and ethical considerations

3.1. Description of Study area

The study was conducted in Amhara National Regional State, Bahir Dar City Administration at
Tana Sub-city. Bahir Dar city is located 578 kilo meters from Addis Ababa on Debre Markos-
Bure road and 465 kilo meters on Dejen-Motta road from Addis Ababa in the North West
direction on the mouth of the Blue Nile on the shores of Lake Tana (Appelhans, 2017). The
geographical location of the study area extends from 11° 25' 19" to 11° 57' 7" N latitude and 37°
14' 35" to 37° 29' 7" E longitude. The city is situated at 1801 meters above sea level.
Administratively, Bahir Dar deserved a Special Zone administrative status, and currently divided
into six sub-cities, three satellite towns, and 26 urban and 14 rural Kebeles for administrative
purposes (Bereket, 2020). Bahir Dar is one of the leading tourist attraction centers in Ethiopia,
situated along the shores of Lake Tana, Ethiopia’s largest Lake and the source of the Blue Nile.
Other than the breath-taking view of Lake Tana, the city gets its beauty from the avenues lined
with palm trees and a variety of colorful flowers. The city is a rich part of Ethiopian history. This
history has been well captured by the distinguished Ethiopian historian, Professor Richard
Pankhurst. Bahir Dar is the host city of Tana forum (Tana High Forum, 2012). The city was
awarded an honorable award by UNESCO in 2002 Cities of Peace Prize for its record in
addressing the challenges of rapid urbanization (Tana Forum, 2019).

3.2. Research Paradigm

Choosing an appropriate research philosophy is an important part of the research methodology. A

paradigm is a shared world view that represents the beliefs and values in a discipline and that
guides how problems are solved (Schwandt, 2001). Constructivism research paradigm was
applied in this research. Constructivists believed that there is no one reality. The reality depends

21
on the experiences of individuals, circumstances and conditions. According to constructivists,
truth can be constructed by collecting and interpreting people’s views and there is no universally
agreed truth (Kivunja & Kuyini, 2017). This study also tried to construct truth from different
sources of data. The different personal views and experiences of interview informants and FGD
discussants are the sources of truth for this study.

3.3. Research Approach

The research has employed qualitative research approach in order to have a deep investigation of
the challenges and prospects of peace and security at Bahir Dar City Administration, Tana Sub-
City.Qualitative inquiry is vital in the presence of multiple truths that are socially constructed.
This approach is the description of the interactions among participants and the researchers in
naturalistic settings with no strong boundaries, resulting in a flexible and open research process.
These unique interactions imply that different results could be obtained from the same participant
depending on who the researcher is because results are created by a participant and researcher in
a given situation (Lincoln & Guba, 1985).

In this study a qualitative research approach is used for exploring and understanding of the
meaning individuals or groups ascribe to a social or human problem (Creswell, 2009). In
qualitative research approach, the research process involves emerging questions and procedures,
data collection instruments, data analysis inductively building from particulars to general themes,
and the researcher making interpretations of the meaning of the data. The researcher used
qualitative research approach to explore the understanding of informants and focus group
discussants on the challenges and prospect of peace and security in the study area.

3.4. Research Design

The researcher used the phenomenological research design in this study. The phenomenological
design helps to study the perceptions and lived experiences of the participants of the research.
According to Creswell (2007), in a phenomenological design, the researcher can deeply
understand the experiences that several individuals have had on a certain phenomenon. In this
study the main data sources were interview informants. The researcher tried to deeply understand
the perceptions and the lived experiences of oral informants by in-depth interviews. FGD (Focus

22
Group Discussion) discussants and documents are used to supplement in-depth interviews in this
study.

3.5. Data Sources

The study has employed both primary and secondary sources of data. Primary data sources are
those from which a fresh and a firsthand data could be available and thus happen to be original in
character. Secondary sources of data on the other hand, contain those data which have already
been collected by someone else and which have already been passed through the statistical
process (Kothari, 2004). In this case interview informants and focused group discussion
discussants were used as primary sources of data. The study also used documents and reports
related to peace and security in the sub-city as secondary sources of data.
3.6. Sample Size and Sampling Technique
A sample is a small proportion of the population selected for observation and analysis (Best &
Kahn, 2006). Researchers should take sampling decisions early in the overall planning of a piece
of research. Factors such as financial expenses, time, and accessibility of data frequently prevent
researchers from gaining information from the whole population, which are all taken into
consideration during sample selection (Cohen et al, 2007).

The sample of this study is taken from the inhabitants and government employees of the sub-city
The sample size of this study is twenty which included five interview informants from the
inhabitants of the Sub-city which included one elder, one female, one teacher, one merchant and
one lawyer informants; two interview informants from peace and security office, two police
interviewees and one from militia office and four youth interviewees of youth representatives;
and six FGD discussants from the community. Totally, seven male and seven female interviewees
are selected as interview informants. To conduct the focus group discussion three male and three
female focus group discussants are selected.

Purposeful sampling is a technique widely used in qualitative research for the identification and
selection of information-rich cases for the most effective use of limited resources (Patton 2002).
This involves identifying and selecting individuals or groups of individuals that are especially
knowledgeable about or experienced with a phenomenon of interest (Cresswell & Clark 2011).

23
Purposive sampling technique is used in this research. The researcher used purposive sampling
technique to gather data from individuals that have the knowledge, experience and exposures
based on their work behaviors on peace and security at Tana Sub-city. The following are some of
the inclusion criteria for the participants of the study: able to write and read at least Amharic
language, must leave two and above years at Tana Sub-city, willing to reflect and share their
experiences, able to speak Amharic and able to participate in a face-to-face interviews at least for
forty minutes.

3.7. Data Collecting Tools

According to Karampelas (2021), to increase the quality of a research output, careful selection
of the data collection tools is crucial. In this research data was collected by using interviews,
focus group discussion and document analysis. Interviews were applied to collected data from
the inhabitants of the sub-city. Focused group discussions were applied to collected data from the
inhabitants of the sub-city and leaders and experts of peace and security, police and militia
offices. Finally, Document analysis is used to collect data from different documents on the
challenges and prospects of peace and security issues in the sub-city. Some of the documents
used as sources of data for this study were annual and strategic plans and reports prepared at
different times.

3.8. Data Analysis Method

Data analysis includes working with data, organizing it, breaking it into manageable units,
synthesizing it, searching for patterns, discovering what is important and what is to be learned,
and deciding what to tell to others (Bogdan & Biklen, 1992).

The research has used thematic method of data analysis. The term theme refers to clusters of
categories that share some commonality (Creswell, 2003). In qualitative research approach there
are at least six methods of data analysis methods. From these methods thematic method of data
analysis is the best method of data analysis. Thematic analysis method is a good approach to
researches when someone is trying to find out something about people’s views, opinions,
knowledge, experiences or values from a set of qualitative data. In analyzing the data first the
raw data were transcribed and translated from Amharic to English that were collected by the data
collecting instruments. After transcribing and translating the data the researcher became familiar

24
with the data and gave codes for each data. Then the data were categorized by themes for
interpretation.

3.9. Trustworthiness
Lincoln and Guba (1985) propose four criteria to evaluate trustworthiness in a qualitative
research. These are: credibility, dependability, transferability and conformability of a research. In
qualitative researches the concept of internal validity of a research indicates the credibility of the
research (Guba & Lincoln, 1994; Creswell, 2003). The credibility of a research refers the
accuracy or truthfulness of a research. The reliability of a qualitative research is known as
dependability of a research. Dependability of a research indicates the consistency of findings of a
research if the research is replicated. In qualitative studies variations may not become zero but
can be minimized. Transferability in qualitative researches replaces the concept of external
validity. It is the applicability of the findings to other settings. Conformability is parallel to
objectivity. It is the extent to which a researcher is free of from bias (Guba & Lincoln, 1994).

To increase the credibility, dependability, transferability and conformability of this research, the
researcher has conducted the following activities. The first means was data triangulation.
Different data sources were triangulated one another. For example, the data collected through
interview method was triangulated with the data collected from FGD and documents. The data
collected through FGD was also triangulated with the data collected from interview informants
and document. Data collected from interview informants, and FGD were also triangulated one
another within the same method of data collection technique. Generally the data triangulations
were made both across the different methods of data collection instruments and within the same
method of data collection technique.

The second means that was employed to increase the credibility, dependability, transferability
and conformability of the research was participant feedback. After analyzing and interpreting the
data collected from interview informants, the researcher asked the participants (respondents) of
the research to evaluate whether the interpretation of their response was properly written or not.
Extended field works, interdisciplinary triangulation and control of bias were also the other
mechanism to increase the trustworthiness of the research.

25
3.10. Ethical considerations
During data collection, psychologists accord appropriate respect to the fundamental rights,
dignity, and worth of all people. Researchers should respect the rights of individuals to privacy,
confidentiality, self-determination and autonomy (Best & Kahn, 2006). In line with this, this
study strictly followed the ethical procedural consideration of the participants of the study.
Participants were involved in a voluntary basis after informed by written and oral permissions
obtained from all study participants. The participants were also informed about the potential
benefit of gathering information that would help identify the challenges of peace and security at
Tana Sub-city.

The researcher also gave due respect for the privacy of participants of the study. In order to
respect the privacy of respondents the researcher gave codes for the participants of the study as
P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, P7, and D1, D2, D3,D4, D5, D6 and etc. The findings of the study were
depended on the actual data collected from the sources of data. Finally the researcher tried to
avoid bias and acknowledge all sources used in the study.

26
 UNIT FOUR

4. FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION

Introduction

This chapter deals with the discussion of the findings of the study. The first part of the chapter
deals with the profile of the research participants and the next part deals with the findings and
discussion.

4.1. Profile of the Research Participants

Table1. Demographic characteristics of interview informants

Participant Sex Age Responsibility Educational level Work

Code Experience

P1 M 42 Head of militia office Degree 20

P2 F 43 Community representative Degree -

P3 M 68 Community representative 4th grade -

P4 M 44 Community representative lawyer 21

P5 M 46 Head of Police office Diploma 19

P6 F 32 Police officer 10th grade 13

P7 F 39 Expert in Peace and Security office Degree 15

P8 M 40 Head of peace and security office Degree 16

P9 F 42 Teacher Degree 17

P10 F 37 Merchant Diploma -

P11 F 18 Youth representative Student -

P12 F 25 Youth representative Diploma -

P13 M 21 Youth representative Student -

27
 P14 M 29 Youth representative Degree 7

Source: field work

Table2. Demographic characteristics of FGD Discussants

Code of the Sex Age Educational Work

Discussants experience
level

D1 F 45 Degree -

D2 F 43 Degree -

D3 M 25 10th grade 3

D4 F 39 Diploma 15

D5 M 40 6th grade 17

D6 M 32 Degree 10

Source: field work

4.2. Discussion of the Findings

The data collected through interviews, focus group discussions and document analysis were
grouped into four themes according to the research questions to simplify the discussion of the
findings. Therefore, discussion of the findings was based on these themes. The four themes for
discussion are listed below.

Theme1: The key actors and agencies in ensuring peace and security

Theme2: The causes of insecurity and conflict

Theme3: Challenges of peace and security

Theme4: Prospects of peace and security

28
4.2.1. The Key Actors and Agencies in Ensuring Peace and Security at Tana Sub-city

There are two major key groups of key actors in ensuring peace and security. These are:
governmental and non-governmental organizations.

1. Governmental Organizations

Governmental actors in ensuring peace and stability include the legislative, executive and
judiciary branches of government. The key executive bodies in bringing peace and stability in
Ethiopia include: the police force, the militia, the anti-strike and defense forces, with their own
duties and responsibilities. Members of the militia helped to bring peace at the local level mostly
at Kebele (village) level. Of course according to the document analysis made by the researcher,
members of the militia have no specified responsibilities except assisting other security sectors
or organizations like the police force and the defense force. According to the researcher’s key
informant P1, the police members are responsible to prevent crimes before committed and
investigation of crimes after the crimes occurred. Members of the defense force are mainly
responsible to defend the country from external security threats at the national level. They have
also the responsibility to defend internal security problems if the security problem is beyond the
police force and other security organs. In addition members of the legislative and judiciary can
play a key role in ensuring peace and stability. The members of the legislative can contribute
their role by making rules and regulation to ensure peace and security. They can also evaluate the
executive and the judiciary branches whether they are running to ensure peace and security of a
country or not according to the rules and regulations enacted by them. Members of the council of
the Sub-city are the main legislative bodies in the study area. The judiciary branch is responsible
in investigating crimes. Judges and attorneys have a big share in investigating crimes as of
interview informant P8.

There are best practices performed by government actors in the Sub-city. According to interview
informants government security forces in the Sub-city special the members of the police force
contributed a lot in bringing peace and stability. One of the areas that the police office of the
Sub-city done in bringing peace and stability is organizing and training the youths to give
services in promoting peace and stability. Those youths organized and trained by the police
members participated in guarding or protecting their localities from different types of crimes.

29
The police office gave trainings for guards of different institutions in the Sub-city to build their
capacity. Organizing and training the consultancy council (which consisted of youths, women,
elders, religious leaders and other prominent members of the community) is also the other best
practice conducted by the police office in the Sub-city. Finally, training families to conduct
discussion at the family level is the other best practice in the Sub-city since the family is the key
institution to bring peace and stability.
According to Schroeder (2010) governmental security actors played key roles in ensuring peace
and security. Accordingly, the government security organizations which are the main actors in
ensuring peace and security that manage and protect the state and the community from conflict
by the help of governmental security institutions. The term security sector in this case includes
the core executive security actors of a state like predominantly the police force, the military
force, militia and intelligence forces as well as other civil authorities like that of judges which
are responsible for their conflict management and democratic oversights.

2. Non-Governmental Actors

According to the data gathered from interview informants and focus group discussants of the
study the following are some of the key non-governmental actors in ensuring peace and stability
at Tana Sub-city. These are: religious leaders, elders, members of the community, civic societies,
women and youths. Amongst the non-governmental actors international organizations, non-
governmental organizations (NGOs), religious leaders and/or communities and business
organizations are some of the key actors in promoting peace and stability.

A. Religious Leaders

According to the data collected from interview informants P1, P2 and P4, religious leaders are
the key non-governmental actors in ensuring peace and security. As of these oral informants,
there are three major religions practiced in the Sub-city. These are Orthodox Tewahdo, Islam and
Protestantism. All preached peace as a central pillar in the life of human beings. Because of this
there is no religious conflict in the Sub-city. The fellow people under these religions lived
together in harmony. That means all religious communities and leaders live in peace and
harmony. All of the focus group discussants also agreed with the interview informants.

30
According to Mengist (2018), the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church which is one of the
religious institutions in Ethiopia preached and prayed for peace, love and unity of the people and
made reconciliations among conflicting bodies in Ethiopia for a long period of time.

B. Elders

The role of elders in ensuring peace and stability is very crucial. In the Ethiopian culture
particularly by the Amharas, elders in the community are highly respected and heard. Elders in
the community can educate the people about the importance of peace and mediate, negotiate and
arbitrate conflicting bodies. Elders are members of the community who had ample amount of
experiences. By using their lived experiences, they can educate about peace and the importance
of respecting peace. They can also mediate, negotiate and arbitrate conflicting parties in the time
of instability and conflict. Interview informants P1, P5, P6, P7 and P8 assured this with their own
words by saying “elders are pillars in ensuring peace and stability at the local and national
levels.” Similarly focus group discussants assured that elders are the key actors in bringing peace
and security in the sub-city and at a national level.

C. Members of the Community

The third groups of non-governmental actors in ensuring peace and security are the members of
the community. Members of the community include the youth, women, adults and other sections
of the community from different walks of life. Members of the community in the Sub-city are
key actors in bringing peace and security. The entire interview informants agreed with this idea.
According to interview informants of this study, governmental actors can play their role in
building peace and security when members of the community made cooperation with
governmental security forces such as the police force, militia and the defense force.

By understanding the role of the community in ensuring peace and security in the country, the
community policing program was launched by the police sector. But according to the two focus
group discussants of this study the relation between the police force and the members of the
community is deteriorated at this time. The community lack trust with the police force. Members
of the community hesitate that the members of the police force are free from political affiliations.
Therefore, according to the two focus group discussants D3 and D5, members of the community
are not contributing their role in ensuring peace and security well. Now a day, the community

31
and the police force are not working in cooperation to bring peace and security. Rather they
feared each other according to them. The key interview informants from the police force P5 and
P6 also said that the community dislikes us and there is stigmatization of the police members in
the community. They also said that some individuals even are not willing to rent their house to
the members of the police force. The respect given for members of the police force was also
decreased through time.

But members of focus group discussants from the community disagree with the ideas of the
members of the police force in the focus group discussion. Rather representatives of the
community in the focus group discussion said that it is members of the police force that do not
want to cooperate with the community because of the prevailing civil war in the region. The
members of the police force disliked the community by considering the people as the supporter
of the Amhara Fano armed force. Members of the police force are also accused by community
members that they are not voluntary to investigate crimes committed in the Sub-city when
informed by the community. Any ways one thing which is very important here is that because of
the current political instability in Amhara National Regional State, the relationship between the
police force and the community is deteriorated from time to time. Because of this the community
policing program in the sub-city is not functioning well. The relationship between members of
the community and other security forces is not also smooth unlike the previous times.

D. Civic Societies

Civic societies are the other key actors in ensuring peace and security at Tana Sub-city locally
and at the national level largely. According to interview informant P3, civic societies can play a
key role in promoting peace and security. Civic societies in principle are free from political
affiliations and can educate the community on how to ensure peace and security both at the
national and local levels. They can also lobby the government to keep the security of the people.
In the time of crisis, civic societies can also give relief supports for victims of insecurity. But if
the civic societies are not free from political affiliations, they might aggrandize the insecurity of
the people. Interview informant P3 assured this as follows:

Some civic societies might have secreted political agendas. Because of this, they can be
involved in different conflicts indirectly and can negatively affect the security of the
country if not properly managed. In such circumstances, the civic societies can affect the

32
 security of the nation negatively indirectly by allotting budgets. They might also aggravate
the existing problem by adding kerosene over a fire.

The works of Brett (2011) and Bette (2016) supported the role of civic societies in ensuring
peace and stability of a country. One of the non-governmental actors in building peace and
security are the civic societies. The civic societies that are international, national and local can
ensure peace and security of a country if properly managed and utilized. Civic society actors can
play their own role in bringing peace and security in a country by educating the people about the
importance of peace and security and the mechanisms to promote peace and security among the
peoples of a country and countries of the world. They can also give relief supports for victims of
lack peace and security (Brett, 2011 & Bette, 2016). In Kenya civic societies like Justice and
Peace Commission, the Western Kenya Human Rights Watch and Mount Elgon Peace Initiative
are the key actors in building peace and security in the country (Mung’ou, 2018).

E. The Youths

The youths with the largest population proportion of the community both at the local and
national level have the lion share in bringing peace and security. According to interview
informant P4, P11, P12, P13 and P14, the youths which constitute the largest size of the
community have a significant role in the process of building peace and stability. The youths are
very energetic and are change seekers in the community. Therefore, if they are managed
properly, the youths can contribute a lot in bringing peace and stability in the study area. But
since the youth are very eager for change they can be manipulated by political entrepreneurs if
they are not properly grown, educated and equipped with knowledge according to interview
informants.

F. Women

Women who constituted half of the population have a great role in ensuring peace and security
both at the local and national levels. This can be achieved by the help of women organizations
both governmental and cultural organizations. Interview informants P2, P6, P7, P9, P10, P11 and
P12 said that women by their nature are relatively peace mongers that men and able to convince
people both before conflict happened and after conflict happened.

33
The study made by Eyayu (2020), briefly showed the role of women in bringing peace and
stability. Accordingly, integrating women and gender considerations into peace-building
processes helps promote democracy, good governance, long-term stability and development. In
order to achieve these goals, women need to be able to play a role in peace building process and
should encourage the participation of women in the full range of decision making process.
Different institutions, from civil society to the judicial and security sectors must be responsive to
women and informed by women’s demands. In the past, women’s contribution to peace building
and reconciliation especially in indigenous conflict resolution is quite significant despite the fact
that it has not been hitherto acknowledged and documented. This is largely attributed to the
traditional role of women as peacemakers and the post-conflict environment both social and
political which was conducive to enhance women’s involvement in the peace and reconciliation
process (Eyayu, 2020).

G. Higher Education Institutions

Both private and government higher education institutions can play a significant role in building
peace and security. Higher education institutions can be both governmental and non-
governmental actors in building peace and security. Providing short and long term trainings is
one of their roles. Short term trainings include different trainings to create awareness for key
actors on peace and security such as the youth, women, religious institutions and civic societies
on peace and security. Long term trainings include teaching students on peace and security by
bachelor degree, masters degree and PhD programs by designing curriculum on the field.

In addition to giving short and long term trainings, higher education institutions also can have a
significant role in building peace and security by conducting researches and by launching co-
curricular programs. Conducting researches is one of the most important activities of higher
education institutions. Therefore, if higher education institutions made problem solving
researches on how to ensure peace and security and on conflict resolution mechanisms, they can
contribute a lot in bringing peace and security.

Higher education institutions can also contribute a lot in ensuring peace and security by the help
co-curricular activities such as peace clubs. Higher education institutions can help the
establishment of peace clubs both inside and outside of the higher education institutions. Peace

34
clubs inside the higher education institutions will help students and the higher education
community to have awareness on peace and security and to have active participation in building
peace and security. Higher education institutions can also facilitate the establishment of peace
clubs in schools, other governmental institutions and private organizations to increase awareness
and participation of the society in ensuring peace and security.

According to interview informants and focus group discussants of this study, Tana Sub-city has
golden opportunities because of the availability of many private and higher education institutions
in Bahir Dar city. But the document analysis in the Sub-city indicated that the contribution of
higher education institutions in building peace and security is very low. In the annual and bi-
annual reports of all security sectors in the Sub-city, there was no any contribution made by both
private higher education institutions in building peace and security.

4.2. The Causes of Insecurity and Conflict in the Study Area

The causes of instability and conflict in the study area are multifaceted. Different studies made
by different organizations and person assured this idea. The sources of insecurity and conflict can
vary depending on the regional and cultural diversity. According to governance, peace and
security (GPS) data by African Union and UNDP (2015), socio-economic inequalities, injustice,
joblessness (unemployment), natural resource management problems, human rights abuse,
political exclusion and corruption are the causes of lack of peace and security.

In Africa negative colonial legacies, ethnic and religious tensions, political instabilities, lack of
good governance, corruption, autocratic rule, poverty, unemployment, economic inequalities,
human rights abuse, terrorism, foreign interference, climatic changes and environmental
degradations which results in resource scarcity are the causes of insecurity and conflict (Thelma,
2024).

Abused historical narrations that created grievances among different ethnic groups, power
struggle between the central government and the regional states, land ownership disputes and
resource completion, tribal differences and ethnic mobilization, different political interests and
divergent views on democracy and federalism are the basic cases of conflict and instability in
Ethiopia (IEP, 2022).

35
According to Mulunesh (2019), the misuse of the media, proliferation of illegal fire arms,
political dichotomization and exclusion, the need for territorial rearrangements, ethnic
misconceptions, theft and resource competitions are the basic causes of ethnic conflict between
the Amharas and Gumuz.

For Berihu (2021), wrong historical narrations and polarization, political entrepreneurs who
benefited from conflict and instability and the presence of weak political and governmental
institutions are the causes of instability and conflict in Ethiopia.

But according to the data collected from interview informants, focus group discussants and the
documents in the study area, the following are some of the causes of instability and conflict in
Tana Sub-city.

A. Political Disagreements at the National Level

In Ethiopian different political parties has conflicting narrative on the history of the country. The
parties have also conflicting views on the nature of the country’s state structure. The conflicting
narration about the history of the country and the nature of state structure at the national level
affects the peace and security of the Sub-city negatively. Interview informants P1, P2 and P5
argued that most political parties in Ethiopia have conflicting political perceptions, interests and
views. The parties have no common understandings and views even in the country’s history of
state formation. Some ethnic based and secessionist political groups understood that the process
of modern Ethiopian state formation as pro-European Ethiopian colonial rule over the different
semi-autonomous states and nationalities. They believed that state formation in modern
Ethiopian history (since1855) was accomplished by demolishing the cultural, linguistic, religious
and administrative machineries of the semi-autonomous states in the south. According to
interview informants P1, P2 and P5, this view was mainly the deliberate manipulation of the past
by the politicians to set their political agendas today by using false narrations or is mainly a
historical abuse by the politicians.

On the opposite, the pro-Ethiopian political groups believed that state formation in Ethiopia is
accomplished mainly by the common efforts of the Ethiopian peoples. Interview informant P5
said that:

36
 All Ethiopians have their own share in the formation of the modern Ethiopian state
according to these groups of politicians, since ancient time irrespective of religious,
linguistic and ethnic dimensions. According to them, the Ethiopians also defended their
country from aggressors commonly. The battle of Adwa is one best example that shows the
Ethiopian common defense of their country against aggressors.

There are also political conflicts on the nature of state structure in the country. According to the
interview informants of this research, even members of the incumbent ruling party or prosperity
party have no common understanding over the country’s state structure. As of interview
informants P1, P2 and P5, the nature of the country’s state structure is also a source of conflict
between different parties. Some political parties believed that the ethnic federalism introduced by
the TPLF/EPRDF government is the source ethnic conflict in Ethiopia. But parties like the TPLF
forces believed that the ethnic federalism introduced by the 1995 constitution is a source of
belongingness, tolerance, solidarity, cooperation and unity between different ethnic groups if it is
properly implemented.

Interview informants also assured that Addis Ababa which is the capital city of the country is
another source of conflict. Most of the Oromo ethnic based parties including the Oromia
prosperity party members worked hard to make Addis Ababa as part of Oromia National
Regional State. On the contrary, there are different political groups who opposed the above
thesis. These groups of political parties took Addis Ababa as the city of all Ethiopians at large
and all inhabitants of Addis Ababa specifically. These conflicting needs and perceptions would
later bring armed conflict and displacement of people. This in turn affects the peace and security
of the people at the local level.

Different literatures assured that there are conflicting views on the history of Ethiopian state
formation. According to Mebratu (2023), there are two main different views about state the
formation of modern Ethiopian state. The first view comes from those groups that take pride in
Ethiopia as a country with more than 3000 years of statehood and see Menelik II as one of the
greatest leaders in Ethiopian history, the hero of Adwa and the man who presided over the
‘reunification’ of Ethiopia in the late 19th century. For this group, Ethiopia is a nation that shares
the heritage of history and coexistence over the centuries. The second group claims that the
modern Ethiopian empire state reflects the political character of the Ethiopian state since the late
19th century, which views Menelik II as a black colonizer who participated in the European

37
scramble for Africa, acting as their agent, conquering independent territories and peoples by
brute force. This view is shared by a significant portion of the Oromo, Somali and Sidama elites,
and so on. For this group, Ethiopia is essentially the empire of unequal nations, so that, they
demand either the creation of their own independent state, or the simultaneous destruction of the
old order and its transformation into an inclusive and multinational state.

According to Medhne et al (2021), because of the different views of Ethiopian state formation,
contradictory narratives on the history of the country, and divisive history, the political practice is
always characterized by the exclusion of rival elites, repression and control. Because of this, the
state and peace building discussion of the country has never been inclusive, predictable and free
of violence. The ultimate result of this has been the lack of institutionalization of functioning
state and durable peace without which the aspirations of Ethiopians` would not be. The victory-
based nature of the political settlement that emerged from the fall of the military regime did not
help this quest for institutionalization. The ideology, narratives, organizational and mobilization
strategy of the winning coalition and rejectionist agendas of the opposition were all a hindrance
against such a move.

Ethiopia has unsettled and controversial historical legacy. In particular, there is no common
understanding of the nation-building process of the country. The current shape of the country is
the result of peaceful submission strategies and forceful subjugation of the 19th century. This left
many nations and nationalities, especially in the south, with unhealed wounds, undermining the
effort to create a strong unified Ethiopia (Deutsch & Foltz, 2010). The historical inequalities and
misunderstandings were provoked more by the post-1991 political administration which harms
the Ethiopia’s national unity. In addition to its undemocratic and unequal mode of governance,
the post-1991 administration in Ethiopia was firmly working to widen the differences among the
ethnic groups, than working on their unity, to stay in power for long. Thus the unsettled historical
misunderstandings among the peoples of Ethiopia coupled with the post-1991 TPLF/EPRDF
political administration aggrandize the problem (Belay, 2024).

B. Low Level of Democratic and Political Development

All interview informants and focus group discussants of this research agreed that the low level of
democratic and political development in the country at the national level is the basic cause of

38
insecurity in the Sub-city. Accordingly, the perception of many political groups to take political
power is not fundamentally changed. There is low level of political discussion. Many political
elites do not tolerate with their political differences. The ethnic conflicts in Ethiopia are mainly
resulted from the intolerance among the political elites.

Free, fair and periodic election is the basic principle of democracy. In a democratic country the
means to take political power is winning in elections. But in undemocratic countries, the means
to take political power is military power. In most African countries, there are no free, fair and
periodic elections until now. Elections in African countries are conducted nominally.

Different literatures on the history of election in Ethiopia also showed the same feature. In
Ethiopia nominal elections started in 1955 during the monarchy. Members of the chamber of
deputies were nominally elected which were only members of the highest nobility. During the
Derg regime also nominal elections were took place. By these elections only members and
supporters of the Derg were participated and elected (Dagnachew, 2019).

The EPRDF led government of Ethiopia also conducted periodic but unfair and non-free nominal
elections since 1992. In all of these elections until the 2015 national election the EPRDF
announced as it won most of the seats of government. In the 1995 national election different
political parties like All Amhara Peoples Organization, Council of Alternative Forces for Peace
and Democracy in Ethiopia and the Ethiopian Democratic Union refrain from participating in the
national election as the government was harassing and abusing members of the opposition
parties. In this election finally EPRDF took all the seats of the parliament (Lyon, 2010).

In 2000, another round election was held. In this election, even though some parties like All
Amahra Peoples Organization were participated, but finally EPRDF again resume power. In the
2005 national election there were some prospects. By this election there was hope and optimism
by the people of Ethiopia. The opposition parties were better organized than ever before and the
comptetion between EPRDF and opposition parties was better. For example in Addis Ababa City
Administration all of the 23 seats were won by the Coalition for Unity and Democracy party
during this election. But again EPRDF announced that it has won 90% of the seats in the
parliament. In the 2010 and 2015 national elections also EPRDF declared as it won the majority
seats in the parliament. But within two years after the 2015 national election the EPRDF led
government got public protests. This shows that the 2010 and 2015 national elections were

39
nominal. To overcome the challenges of public protests the EPRDF led government took
different reforms. EPRDF also dissolved itself and formed a new party called Prosperity Party
(Dereje, 2020).

Prosperity Party soon got armed struggles from the Shane and TPLF forces. In 2023 the
government made peace with TPLF forces but continued to fight against the Amhara Fano armed
forces. This all indicates that the democratic and political development in the country is at infant
level. As part of the country, Tana Sub-city is also highly affected by this factor.

Interview informants and focus group discussants showed that there is low political participation
by inhabitants of Sub-city. The people in the Sub-city are not well informed about the public
policy making and implementation strategies. This shows that the government at the local level is
negligence of public participation in decision making, policy formulation, policy implementation
and evaluation processes.

C. The Release of Prisoners

According to interview informant P1 and all of the focus group discussants, the release of
prisoners during the war between the Amhara Fano and government forces caused insecurity in
the Sub-city. Recently, many of the crimes of theft, killings and kidnapping people are mainly
committed by those prisoners released during the war between the Amhara Fano and government
forces according to interview informant P1 and all of the focus group discussants. Reports from
the police office of Tana Sub-city also showed that most of the crimes like theft, killing and
kidnapping people are mainly committed by prisoners who escaped from prison during the war
between the Amhara Fano armed forces and government security forces.

The annual reports on the crimes committed in the Sub-city showed an increase in 2016 EC after
the release of prisoners. In 2015 EC, twenty four crimes of different types like nineteen theft,
three killings because of personal conflicts and two crimes of kidnapping children took place.
But in 2016 EC, seventy two theft crimes, fifteen civilian killings and thirteen kidnapping took
place which are a total of 110 crimes (Tana Sub-city Police office annual reports, 2024).

D. Displacement

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As interview informant P1 explained, there are two causes of displacement in Tana Sub-city. The
first cause of displacement is seeking better job and living conditions in the city than rural areas.
The second cause of displacement is the ethnic based attacks against the Amharas in other
regional states mainly in Oromia and Benishangul Gumuz National Regional States. Most of the
displaced people lived in Woramit kebelle (village) of the Sub-city. There is also insignificant
number of displaced people lived in the Sub-city who used to hide themselves from the police
force. These groups of people came to the Sub-city by committing crimes in their previous
localities in the rural areas. Any ways the number of displaced people increased from time to
time in the Sub-city and when the number of displaced people increased, the number of crimes is
also increasing from time to time. Illegal house buildings, theft and kidnapping people for money
are the common crimes happened in the Sub-city. According to interview informant P1, seventy
one percent of illegal house constructions are made by the displaced people.

E. Poverty and Unemployment

Poverty and unemployment are interrelated one another. Unemployment is the result of poverty
and again unemployment will result in poverty. An interview made with P3 and P6 assured that
poverty and unemployment are the sources of grievances against the government in the country
at the national level. Many graduates from the universities are jobless. When people become
jobless they are liable to different types of social evils like gambling, chewing chat, smoking and
etc. In addition they are vulnerable to commit different crimes such as theft and killings.
According to the police report in the Sub-city many of the crimes are committed by jobless
people.

Many jobless youths also joined the Amhara Fano armed forces or became supporters of the
armed forces since they are unemployed or jobless. According to interview informants P3 and P6
many youths joined the Fano armed forces in the Sub-city even though the exact number of
youths who joined the armed forces is not exactly known by the interviewees. Jobless youths
joined the armed forces by two ways: firstly by opposing the incumbent government and second
to get job opportunities.

Existing literatures that deals with the relationship between unemployment and lack security
showed that when youths became jobless they will join the armed forces. Collier (2000) argued

41
that unemployment feeds into both grievance and greed as motives for joining a conflict, since
unemployment constitutes a clear grievance while it lowers the opportunity cost of joining a
rebellion and therefore the incentive to do so. A number of other studies conclude that joining
armed groups (whether on the government or opposition sides) can be an attractive option in the
absence of other employment opportunities (Stewart, 2015).

F. Lack of Good Governance (Mal-administration)

Key interview informants P3, P5 and P6 informed the researcher that that lack of good
governance (mal-administration) is a source of mistrust, dissatisfaction and grievance for the
people in the Sub-city. The leaders and employees of government security sectors and others
sectors have not the attitude of serving the people. They have no the attitude of serving others.
Because of this, the leaders and employees of the police force and other security forces including
the militia members are distrusted by the people. There are different complains raised by
customers in the Sub-city against the security force. Focus group discussants of the study also
agreed that lack of good governance (mal-administration) is the source grievance, mistrust and
dissatisfaction for the community in the sub-city. Because of this the community is not
cooperative to government security forces and government security forces are not in a way to
listen the feelings of insecurity of the society.

G. The Presence of Illegal Armed Forces and Proliferation of Firearms

There are many illegally armed forces in the Sub-city according to interview informant P4 and
focus group discussants. Different crimes made in the Sub-city mainly committed by illegally
armed forces. The illegally armed forces committed crimes like theft, killings and other atrocities
in the Sub-city. According interview informant P4 and all of the focus group discussants, the
current security problem is mainly associated with the presence of illegally armed forces. But
other members of interview informants did not agree with this idea. They argued that it is the
way the government managed the illegally armed forces that caused insecurity in the Sub-city.

According to the document analysis from the annual report of Tana Sub-city police office, illegal
firearm proliferation and trade is seen as a source of insecurity in the Sub-city. The police office
in the Sub-city reported that six male and two female totally eight people were caught when they
made illegal fire arm proliferation and trade in the Sub-city in 2024 (Tana Sub-city Annual

42
Report of the police office, 2024). A Weekly Report Written on 05/09/23 from Tana Sub-City
Peace and Security Office to Bahir Dar City Peace and Security Department also showed that
illegal proliferation and trade of fire arms is a source of insecurity in the Sub-city. Interview
informants also assured that illegal fire arm proliferation and trade is a threat of peace and
security in the Sub-city.

Even though interview informants, focus group discussants and document analysis show that
illegal proliferation and trade of small fire arms is the basic cause of insecurity in the Sub-city,
the studies made by Belayneh (2022) and Estibel took illegal proliferation and trade of fire arms
as a challenge to peace and security. According to Belayneh (2022), small arms trafficking are a
major challenge to peace and security in Ethiopia at the national level and at Gondar city
administration in particular. There are cases in which people misuse firearms to take revenges,
robbery, kidnapping people and human trafficking. Estibel (2022), who conducted a research on
the title, the challenges and prospects of small arms proliferation and misuse in Amhara Region:
The case of Bahir Dar City Administration, showed that the proliferation and use of illegal small
arms increased from time to time at Bahir City Administration which has a negative social,
economic and political impact by making a challenge to peace and security in the city.

H. Inappropriate Use of the Media

As of interview informant P7 and focus group discussants, inappropriate use of the media is the
basic source of insecurity of life at the national and local levels. If the media is properly used it
can bring peace and security in the society. Now a day there are different sources of information
from the social and mass Medias. But all sources of information are not significant and valid.
People should critically evaluate the accuracy of the information before use. But according to
interview informant P7 and all of the focus group discussants, there is a problem to ensure the
accuracy and validity of the information by the community. This would result in lack of peace
and security in the Sub-city.

Face book is the dominantly used social media now a day at international, national and local
levels. Despite its positive roles, face book creates violence and extremism in Ethiopia now a
day. It adds fuels to the existing tension in the country (Workie, 2022).

I. Negligent to Public Questions

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The community raised different public questions at different times. But according to interview
Informants P5, P6, P7, P8 and focus group discussants of the study, the government both at the
national and local level is very slow to give response for public questions and sometimes does
not show interest to solve public problems. This created grievance, hatred, mistrust against the
government. One such public question that is not solved by the government timely was the
identity and border issues raised at different times by the Amhara people. All of the interview
informants and focus group discussants believed that the current security problems in the
Amhara National Regional State are highly associated with Amhara identity and boundary
questions. The Amhara people raised questions related to identity and territorial integrity. These
questions affected the nature of peace and security in the Sub-city.

J. Corruption

Focus group discussants D1, D2, D3, D4 and D6 believed that corruption is a deep rooted
practice in the country and at the Sub-city locally. Since it is committed secretly it is very
difficult to control its expansion. The focus group discussants added by saying that corruption is
highly interrelated with other causes of lack security. For example it is highly related with
unemployment and lack of good governance. Therefore, when the government was unable to
reduce corruption, the degree of lack of good governance and poverty increased from time to
time.
K. The New Security Reform Program

In 2023, the Federal government of Ethiopia introduced a new security reform program.
According to this program, the regional Special Forces were reorganized under the ministry of
defense force and other security sectors like the federal and regional police forces. But this
reform brought discontent among the peoples of the Amhara region and specifically among the
inhabitants of Bahir Dar City administration.
Interview informants of the study assured that the special forces of Amhara National Regional
State also opposed the new security reform program as the region has security threats from TPLF
forces. Because of the discontent among the people and the special forces of the region, many
members of the Amhara Special Forces betrayed the government and joined the Amhara Fano
armed forces and became the nucleus of the armed struggle in the region. The Amhara Special

44
Forces who joined the Amhara Fano armed forces became the nucleus of the armed struggle in
the region by giving trainings for the army and by becoming the core of the armed struggle.
L. Economic Inequality

Economic inequalities among the community are another source of insecurity in the study area.
People in the study area are not equally accessed for basic economic means such as land.
Interview informant P8, said that there is economic inequality among peoples of Bahir Dar City
Administration as a whole and Tana Sub-city in particular. There is unequal access to the basic
economic means of production. For example land which is a basic means of production is not
equality accessed in the city. It is mainly used by political and economic elites. The study made
by Thelma (2024), also showed that economic inequality is the basic source of insecurity in
Africa.
4.3. The Challenges of Peace and Security in the Sub-city
Like that of the sources of insecurity and conflict, the challenges to insure peace and security are
multifaceted. Different studies conducted by different organizations and peoples showed that the
challenges to peace and security are so diversified. But the following literatures showed some of
the challenges to peace and security. According to Alemayehu (2011), genocide, war crimes and
crimes against humanity, electoral violence, transitional justice, terrorism and unlawful use of
marine resources are some of the challenges for peace and security.

Solomon (2014) also tried to list out some of the challenges of peace and security. Accordingly,
undemocratic government, poverty and low levels of development, a political culture of
intolerance and lack of respect for the rule of law are some of the challenges for peace and
security. Armed conflict, terrorism, political crisis, democracy and governance deficits are the
challenges to peace and security (Elowson & Albuquerque, 2016).

For Adedokum (2017) socio-economic problems such as poverty and economic inequality,
unemployment, rapid urban drift, land insecurity and malnutrition; dominance of the ruling
political party, security sector review reform and natural resources competition are the challenges
of peace and security in Mozambique.

According to the data sources of this study, some of the challenges of peace and security in the
Sub-city are: illegal ways of personal economic growth and development, lack of public

45
discussion, lack of commitment, lack of trust with the government, the presence of political
entrepreneurs, lack of trust between the community and government security forces and the
prevailing war in the region between the Amhara Fano armed forces and government security
forces.
A. Illegal Ways of Personal Economic Growth

Interview informants P2, P3 and P4 agreed that now a day the attitude of illegal ways of personal
growth is a major challenge to bring peace and security in the Sub-city. This attitude becomes
now a deep rooted culture in the society. Most government officials, experts and members of the
society became victims of this problem. When people develop the habit of illegal ways of
personal economic growth, they may commit different acts against the law to get money. Finally,
embers of the community will become victims this act.
B. Lack of Public Discussion

In many aspects public discussion helps people to develop a sense of belongingness and the
government also can solve emerging peace and security problems by conducting public
discussions. When people periodically discuss on their own affairs, the local administrators also
will get trust or acceptance by the locality. But according to interview informants P2, P3 and P4,
periodic and problem solving discussions are not held in the Sub-city and at the national level at
large timely. But in the opposite of this view, the report from the police office showed that public
discussion were held with the community even though it is at a low level at this time.
C. Lack of Commitment and Competency of Leaders

Interview informants P6, P7 and P8 informed that lack of commitment by government officials is
a major challenge to bring peace and security. Government officials and experts including the
different government security forces like the militia, the police force and anti-strike forces in the
Sub-city are not committed to serve the people and bring peace. Rather the leaders and experts
the different government sectors are the sources of conflict according to interview informants.
Corruption, lack of good governance and lack of trust are mainly caused by lack commitment by
government officials and different experts in the sub-city to serve the people at large and
specifically at Tana Sub-city. Focus group discussants also supported this idea by saying
“servant leaders in the Sub-city is totally non-existence”.

46
Interview informants and focus group discussants also agreed that lack of competency of leaders
at the local and national level is a big challenge to build peace and security. Leaders at the
national and local level lack leadership competencies. Leaders should have the following
leadership competencies like effective communication, using best leadership style, developing
people, emotional intelligence, managing stress and conflict, leading innovation and change and
leading remote teams (http://elearningindustry.com/developing.effective-leadership-leadership
competencies, accessed on 09/07/2024).
According to Kemal (ND), the success of peace building depends upon the leadership skills.
Change in the media, science and technology, internet, globalization, socio-cultural aspects and
the nature of the environment needs to revise and update the qualification of a leader.
D. Lack of Trust

All of the interview informants and focus group discussants accused the government at the
national and local level in losing its own trust by the people. The people always hesitates the
government. This was resulted because of the inability of the government to keep its promises to
answer public questions at different times. Therefore, this created difficulty to bring peace and
stability in the Sub-city and at the national level as a whole together with the people. The
community accepts what the political activists said not the government by the help of different
medias. As a response the government took different actions like disconnecting internet accesses
in the region in the name of ensuring peace and security. This again develops mistrust against the
government.
E. The Existence of Political Entrepreneurs

In this context, political entrepreneurs are those politicians who always benefited themselves by
creating false historical and political narrations. Political entrepreneurs exist both among
members of the ruling and opposition parties. Political entrepreneurs, as much as they get
personal benefits, they can whatever the destruction happened by their own political and
historical abuses. Historical abuses are mainly and deliberately manipulated by the political
entrepreneurs to set their political and economic agendas today by political entrepreneurs
according to interview informants P1, P3 and P6.
F. Lack of Trust with Government Security Forces

47
All interview informants and focus group discussants of the police force in the Sub-city said that
there is no trust with the police force like that of the previous times. Interview informant P1
confirmed this idea in his own words as follows:
Previously the people gave us due respect everywhere we move but now because of the
current instability problem in the region, the people considered us as enemies. There is
stigmatization of police officers by the community. The community now considered the
police for as the supporters of the government against the people. Therefore, rather than
cooperation, members of the community and the police force now developed hatred,
hesitated one another.

According to the document analysis made by the researcher, Tana Sub-city police office planned
to run community policing. But because of lack of trust against the police force and the
prevailing war the police office was not effective in running community policing. Getaye (2022),
who made his thesis on the title opportunities, challenges and responses to the practice of
community policing: A case study of Bugna woreda, also supported this idea. Accordingly,
during political unrest, all the community policing officers were assigned to protect
infrastructures, government instructions, large business areas and politicians’ property and
houses. During this time conducting community policing is very difficult. Therefore, illegal acts
such as theft, innocent killings and kidnapping people will increase.
G. The Prevailing War in the Region

According to the data gathered from all interview informants, group discussants and the
document analysis from the annual report of Tana Sub-city police office, the existing war in the
region between the Amhara Fano armed forces and government security forces like that of the
defense forces, the Amhara strike force, the police force and the militia created a challenge to
ensure peace and security among members of the community in the sub-city.
The existing data sources from interview informants and focus group discussants assured that the
existing war between the Amhara Fano armed forces and government security forces created
difficulty to ensure peace and security in the Sub-city. For example, the police force which is
responsible in the prevention of crimes and investigating the crimes after they occurred became
too busy by the current war in the region. Sometimes the police officers lack the interest and the
ability to prevent and investigate crimes. According to the interview made with the police
members the lack of interest and ability of the police members is highly associated with lack of

48
cooperation from the community. But interview informants from the community said that lack of
cooperation from the community is resulted because of lack interest of the police office to help
the community.
Any ways, one thing that all of the interview informants and focus group discussants agreed is
that the existing war in the region, increased crimes against the inhabitants of the Sub-city.
Crimes such as theft, killings and kidnapping people increased from time to time because of the
prevailing war in the region.

H. Disrespect to Indigenous Cultural Values and Norms

In the cultures like that of the Amhra ethnic groups; the elders, educated men and religious
leaders were highly respected and contributed their own role in ensuring peace and security
among the society in the past. Indigenous cultural institutions like shimgilina has great role in
securing peace and security by resolving conflict in the society. But according to interview
informant P3, the respect for indigenous cultural institutions, religious leaders, elders and the
educated men decreased from time to time. Because of this the role of elders, religious leaders
and educated men to bring peace and stability is also decreased from time to time.

The study made by Habtamu (2017), on indigenous conflict resolution mechanisms showed that
indigenous cultural institutions are facing challenges now a day even though they have great
roles in solving disputes in the community. The young generation considered the indigenous
cultural institutions as less valuable than the modern court systems.

4.4. The Prospect to Peace and Security in the Sub-city

The findings of the study revealed that, there are also prospects of peace and security like that of
the challenges of peace and stability in the Sub-city. The existence of governmental and non-
governmental key actors in peace building process, the existence of different regional and
international organization and the peace loving people in the Sub-city are some of the prospects
of peace and security.
A. The Existence of Government Security Forces

49
The existence of governmental security forces is the first major prospect in ensuring peace and
security. Government security organizations such as the police force, the militia and defense
force have a great role in bringing peace and security in the Sub-city in principle. All interview
informants and focus group discussants agreed that if government security forces such the police
force, militia and defense force actively and responsibly participated in the peace and security
making process in collaboration with the people, they can bring long lasting peace and security
in the Sub-city and nationally at large.
B. The Existence of Non-governmental Organizations

The existence of different non-governmental organizations such as religious institutions, cultural

organizations and civic societies are other prospects bring peace and security if they are properly
utilized. For example if religious institutions and/or councils are empowered to solve conflicts
peacefully, they will be fruitful since all religious institutions agreed in the importance of peace
and security. All interview informants and focus group discussants believed that religious
institutions are very important organizations to bring peace and stability. But according to the
document analysis from the report of Tana Sub-city police office in 2024 religious institutions
and/or councils role in bringing peace and stability is non-existence or very low.
According to interview informant P7, P12 and P17, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) play a
critical role in promoting peace and stability, including in Bahir Dar City. They contribute by
developing and implementing strategies to resolve conflicts, fostering dialogue among
community members, and advocating for peaceful coexistence. Events like the Bahir Dar Peace
Conference illustrate the commitment of community stakeholders to address issues amicably and
enhance community cohesion. Religious institutions advise communities to avoid conflict and
promote coexistence and peace.
C. The Existence of Regional and International Organizations

The existence of regional and international organizations like the AU, IGAD and UNO is another
prospect to bring peace and stability. Ethiopia as founding member of these organizations can
benefit much in ensuring peace and security both at the national and local levels according to
interview informants P5, P7 and P8 and focus group discussants. Historically Ethiopians role in
promoting peace and security by the help of these organizations was also worth mentioning.

50
 D. The Presence of Peace and Security Loving People

The people in the Sub-city are cooperative to ensure peace and security according to interview
informants of this study. As of interview informants P1 and P2, during holidays the role of the
community especially the role of the youth is very significant. The youth assisted the security
forces by cleaning roads and preventing security problems organized by their own local
organizations like tsiwa mahiber, edir and mahiber organizations Therefore, government security
forces could able to manage the threats of peace and security by the support of the community.
In addition the people of the Sub-city participated willingly in community policing to bring
peace and stability in their locality. They also participated in rounding their locality at night time
to protect the Sub-city from the troubles of lack of peace and insecurity. This also shows the
people in the Sub-city are peace loving and are committed to bring peace and stability in Tana
Sub-city and Bahir Dar city administration at large.

E. The Presence of Indigenous Cultural Institutions

According to the experiences from the researcher, interview informants and focus group
discussants, there are different indigenous cultural organizations that can help to bring peace and
stability in the community. Shimiglina, edir and mahiber are the key indigenous cultural
institutions that are very important to bring peace and security among the society. These
institutions are very helpful in preventing conflicts and by making resolutions after conflicts
happened. Most of the conflicts at family and community level can be arbitrated by the help of
indigenous conflict resolution methods. At the Sub-city level, indigenous cultural institutions
played a key role when conflicts happened. For example, when the inhabitants in the Sub-city
came into conflict with the local administrative authorities, they elected elders and tried to solve
the problem by the help of elected elders with the authorities of the of the Sub-city.
Traditional conflict resolution methods are more comfortable, affordable and convenient for the
local community compared to the modern court systems (Eshete, 2022). Indigenous conflict
resolution mechanisms are very important for social and economic aspects of the community.
They can save the time and money of the disputing bodies (Habtamu, 2017 & Fikre, 2022). They
also help to develop good social interaction than the modern court systems (Fikre, 2022).

51
 UNIT FIVE
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1. Conclusions
The researcher applied constructivist research paradigm, qualitative research approach,
phenomenological research design, purposive sampling technique and thematic data analysis.
Data was collected through interviews, focus group discussions and document analysis tools of
data collection from interview informants, focus group discussants and the existing documents.
Finally based on the findings of the study the following conclusions were made.
There are two groups of key actors in ensuring peace and security in the Sub-city. These are:
governmental and non-governmental actors. Governmental actors in ensuring peace and security
include the legislative, executive and judiciary branches of the government. The key executive
bodies in ensuring peace and security includes the police force, militia, defense force and the
anti-strike force.
In addition to the executive branch of government, the legislative and judiciary branches of the
government has a great role in ensuring peace and security in the Sub-city. Members of the
council of the Sub-city are the main legislative bodies who had a great role in enacting rules and
regulations in the Sub-city. The legislative body can make check and balances weather the
executive and judiciary branches of the government in the Sub-city implemented the rules and
regulations enacted by the legislative body. The judiciary branch of the government has also a
great role in ensuring peace and stability by investigating crimes.
Religious leaders, elders, members of the community, civic societies, youths and women are
some of the non-governmental key actors in ensuring peace and security in the sub-city which
have their own roles in promoting peace and security.
The causes of insecurity in the Sub-city are multifaceted. But to mention few of them: political
disagreement at the national level by the politicians, low level of democratic and political
development, inflation, release of prisoners because of the prevailing war between the Amhara
Fano armed forces and government security forces, displacement, poverty and unemployment,
disrespect to indigenous cultural values and norms, lack of good governance (mal-
administration), illegal proliferation and trade of fire arms, the presence of illegal armed forces,
inappropriate use of the media, lack of attention to public questions, corruption, the new security

52
reform program and economic inequalities are some of the sources of insecurity in the study
area.
Like that of the sources insecurity, the challenges to peace and security are also multifaceted.
The attitude of illegal ways of personal economic growth, lack of public discussion and
participation, lack of commitment of government officials and security forces, lack of trust with
the government, the existence of political entrepreneurs, lack of trust with government security
force and the prevailing war in the region are some of the challenges to ensure peace and security
at Tana Sub-city.
The finding of the study also revealed that, there are prospect to ensure peace and security in the
Sub-city. The availability of government security forces like the police force, militia, defense
force and anti-strike force, the existence of non-governmental organizations like religious
institutions and civic societies, the incidence of regional and international organizations like AU,
IGAD and UNO to promote peace and security, the presence of peace loving and patriotic
society and the occurrence of indigenous cultural institutions are some of the prospects to peace
and security by this study.

5.2. Recommendations
Based on the findings of the study the following recommendations are given by the researcher:
1. Peace and security is a basic societal need. There is no overall development of a society if
there is lack of peace and security. Therefore, the key actors in ensuring peace and
security can take part their own role.
2. Government security organs which have irreplaceable roles in bringing peace and
security should be committed in securing peace and security. They should also encourage
the participation of non-governmental actors of peace and security to be effective in
ensuring peace and security.
3. The government should assist governmental and non-governmental actors to peace and
security to get trainings on peace and security.
4. Civic societies should also give trainings on peace and security for all stakeholders.
5. All key actors to peace and security must cooperate each other to bring peace and
security since peace and security is the result of a cooperative work.

53
6. The government should work hard on preventing the sources of insecurity to promote
lasting peace and security.
7. Religious institutions should play their own role. As all members of the community are
religious men in the Sub-city, religious leaders have unavoidable role in teaching the
people about the importance of peace and security.
8. The ruling and opposition parties should work hard to bring national consensus on basic
national issues including the country’s history.
9. Higher education institutions both governmental and non-governmental higher education
institutions should conduct research to bring peace and security. They can also create
awareness for the community on peace and security.
10. Government officials should serve the community and create satisfaction and trust among
the society. They should be also transparent and accountable.

54
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Appendix – I

Selected semi-structured interview questions

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 1. How do you understand the issues of peace and security at Tana Sub-city locally and at
the national level largely?
2. What are the sources of insecurity, lack of peace and conflict at the Sub-city?
3. Who are the key actors and agencies to bring peace and security in the Sub-city?
4. What are the roles of government security forces to bring peace and stability?
5. What are the roles of non-governmental actors to bring peace and security?
6. Why do you believe that the government is not able to bring lasting peace and stability?
7. Why the government and other key actors do not cooperate each other to bring peace and
security?
8. What are the sources of distrust for the community against the government in the study
area?
9. What are the sources of distrust for the community against government security forces?
10. What are the challenges to bring peace and stability?
11. What are the prospect to enhance peace and security?
12. What is your recommendation to ensure peace and stability in the study area?

Some selected semi-structured FGD questions

1. Do you have a common understanding on the issues of peace and security in the study
area?
2. How do you see the status of the stability of the Tana Sub-city?
3. Are the challenges and prospects to bring peace and stability in the Sub-city?
4. Do you have a common understanding on the challenges and prospects of the Sub-city?
5. What are the key actors to bring peace and stability in the Sub-city?
6. What are the sources of insecurity in Tana Sub-city?
7. Do you have common sources of insecurity in the study area? If there are differences
what are the differences?

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