"Resource" based Violent Conflict between Pasto-ralists of Ethiopia: An Exploration into Afar-Issa Conflict

Asnake Menbere

Abstract: This article reviews the empirical evidences behind the Afar and Issa conflicts. It argues that Afar-Issa conflict does constitute pastoralist features but not all in all pastoralist in essence. Behind seemingly resource needs, which could have been accommodated by peaceful utilization of resources, there is much bigger threat waiting that appeared to many as product of the less and ungoverned social setting of ?nomads?. Continuity of the conflict is explained on the Issa side in terms of the quest for water and rangeland that is simple competition over natural resources. Nonetheless, the Afar version of the story asserts by far in comparable weight of counter argument that necessitates non-resource explanation. Afar and Issa pastoralist have long history of conflict and violent clash but were not at any time beyond the capacity of time old traditional institutions and resolution mechanisms. However, attempts made to effect deterrence of Issa aggression and introduce balance of power on the contrary proved to Afar dismay that there was nothing to stop the Issa advance. Afar pastoralists have suffered the worst damage appears multi-dimensional. Afar-Issa conflict has very grave messages on the oblivious human security in the region more so, on the Ethiopian state security and indeed sovereignty.

Keywords: conflict, dynamics, Afar, Issa, Resource, competition, impact, implication