Building peace by peaceful approach: The role of Oromo Gadaa system in peace-building

Abstract

The Oromo Gadaa system has a great role in peace-building. It embraces peaceful peace-building values and approaches useful to maintain durable, lasting, and sustainable peace in society. Africa in general and Ethiopia, in particular, are suffering from multiple conflicts and lack of peace. Modern peace-building has not been able to bring lasting solution to these challenges. As a result, much weight is given to modern peace-building apparatuses over indigenous peace-building approaches. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of the Oromo Gadaa system in peace building through a peaceful approach. A qualitative research approach was employed to examine the contribution of the Oromo Gadaa system in peace-building. Primary data were collected using key informant interviews from Abbaa Gadaa, Hayyuus, female participants, and academicians. The finding of the study reveals that the Gadaa system incorporates proactive approaches that necessarily facilitate peace through values of safuu (morality), equality, respect and tolerance, law, and order. The system also embedded in itself post-conflict reactive mechanisms such as jaarsummaa (Araaraa), Siiqqee, Gumaa, and Qaalluu to ensure peace. The integration of Gadaa peace-building approaches, values, and practicesmakes peace-building lasting and sustainable. Incorporating Gadaa system values, customs, principles, and mechanisms is important to make peacebuilding efforts consistent and productive.