Political and Economic Exclusion-Induced Conflict and Displacement

Evidences from Metekel Zone, Benishangul Gumuz National Regional State (BGNRS)

Abstract

This study examined factors that drive exclusion-induced conflict and displacement in the Metekel zone. Data was collected from a sample of 435 respondents, i.e., 359 households’ surveys, 60 focus group discussants, and 16 key informant interviews. Evidence suggested that exclusion has been deep, and the scale of conflict, violence, and displacement was pervasive. Ethnicity was the main factor in excluding households from exercising rights to access resources. Light skin color (“qey” in Amharic) also served as a marker of otherness (non-indigenous). During times of conflict, the so-called qey were indiscriminately attacked. A case in point was what happened to the Shinasha, whose light skin color had a more devastating effect than their ethnicity. Legal frameworks, administrative and executive institutions were fused with ethnicity as facilitators of exclusion and inclusion. BGNRS’s constitution defined some ethnic groups as “indigenous” and the remaining as “others” or “non-indigenous”. During exclusion-induced conflict incidents of 2018 to 2021, households from Amhara, Agew, Oromo, and Shinasha were targeted based on their ethnicity and skin color, resulting in discrimination, restricted access to services and rights of mobility. The study concluded that political exclusion engendered by ethnic federalism has induced conflicts with devastating effects on economic, social, and political dimensions causing large-scale displacements, violent attacks, loss of lives and community divisions. In reconciliation engagements, displaced households were not made part of the peace-making process. The study recommends revisiting controversial articles of BGNRS’s Constitution that define some ethnic groups as indigenous (owner nationalities) giving them exclusive rights over others.