Protracted conflict in north-eastern East Wallagga, Ethiopia, has left deep-rooted grievances, trauma, and mistrust, posing significant challenges for reconciliation and peacebuilding. As local community members and peacebuilders, we are committed to overcoming the deep historical rivalries between the Oromo and Amhara people. Tired of being ignored by political elites, we know that true reconciliation can only come from within our communities. We are determined to forge a path forward together. The first step is creating open dialogues where all can courageously confront the painful past. Acknowledgment of wrongdoings and acceptance of responsibility are crucial for healing.
Alongside this truth-telling, we must focus on restorative justice – repairing broken bonds through victim-offender dialogues and community-based approaches. It is only by mending relationships that we can move beyond divisive politics. Importantly, this process must be inclusive, giving voice to marginalized groups and addressing underlying inequities. Reparations and accountability measures can provide justice, but our vision integrates psychological, social, economic, and political interventions tailored to our communities. We recognize the need for sustained international and regional support. But ultimately, the responsibility lies with us. Our collective willpower and determination to heal the past will pave the way to a more just and peaceful future.
The key determinants of reconciliation and peacebuilding
Overcoming the historical trauma and grievances between the Oromo and Amhara in East Wallagga is essential for genuine reconciliation, but an enormously difficult challenge. The legacy of violence, displacement, and oppression has left indelible scars, fueling ongoing resentment and distrust. Addressing the deep-seated trauma and grievances is a crucial, if daunting, task for peacebuilding.
Alongside the enduring historical grievances, disputes over land, water, and mineral deposits are a constant source of tension, rooted in past episodes of displacement and political maneuvering. These unresolved territorial and resource disputes continue to fuel distrust and risk provoking renewed violence. Addressing these resource conflicts is a critical part of the broader reconciliation process.
East Wallagga is characterized by intense ethnic and political fault lines that have resisted past efforts at reconciliation. The longstanding rivalry between the Oromo and Amhara communities has been impacted by competing nationalist movements, regional autonomy claims, and struggles for political control. The region’s strategic importance has drawn the attention of powerful national-level political forces, who have often intervened and aligned with one ethnic group against another. This has created an “us versus them” mentality, making it difficult to build the trust and common ground needed for peace. This highly polarized and politicized environment creates an extremely challenging context for peacebuilding. This pervasive distrust, where each group views the other as an existential threat, is perhaps the most daunting aspect of the reconciliation process. Overcoming this trust deficit requires painstaking, grassroots-level engagement to slowly rebuild bridges, foster empathy, and demonstrate the tangible benefits of cooperation. However, the legacy of trauma and betrayal is so entrenched that any misstep can quickly reignite hostilities. Addressing entrenched ethnic and political tensions will require a multi-pronged approach that tackles both the community-level dynamics as well as the wider political dynamics perpetuating the divisions.
Another challenge the area faces is economic marginalization and neglect, including chronic underinvestment in infrastructure and public services. The lack of economic opportunities and development fuels a sense of grievance and resentment, exacerbating existing ethnic and political tensions as groups compete for scarce resources. The scarcity of jobs, livelihoods, and economic security also undermines the ability of individuals and communities to prioritize the longer-term process of reconciliation. Targeted investments in infrastructure, job creation, skills training, and equitable, sustainable development initiatives can help create the conditions for greater prosperity, cooperation, and a shared stake in the region’s future. A multifaceted approach is required, focusing on transitional justice, inclusive dialogue, security sector reform, and equitable socioeconomic development to acknowledge the past while forging a shared vision for the future.
There are many potential solutions that could help build reconciliation and peace in East Wallagga, which will require investment from actors at a local and national level. Open and inclusive dialogue, which brings together various stakeholders, will help to empower local mediation and reconciliation efforts. Engaging communities and local leaders can lead to change at the grassroots level. Traditional and religious leaders can help to spread messages of peace and tolerance, while cultural exchange programs, joint projects, and educational initiatives can help build trust, understanding, and peace between communities. Encouraging the participation of marginalized groups, especially women and youth, is also essential. To address the deep-rooted economic problems facing the region, development programs and investment in infrastructure, healthcare, and education are needed. Improving access to resources, services, and economic opportunities, and combating poverty and economic marginalization will require collaboration between the government and local actors. Inclusive national narratives and historical accounts that acknowledge diverse experiences and perspectives can also help build peace and reconciliation. The feedback of community members should be heard, and should inform the trajectory of peacebuilding initiatives in East Wallagga. Above all, transparency and accountability in government is needed to build trust between the government and the people.
Megersa Tolera
Megersa Tolera is aPhD candidate in Peace and Development Studies at Haramaya University in Ethiopia.
