Traditional Leaders in Peace Building and Conflict Resolution in Ogaden Region, Ethiopia

ABSTRACT This study sets out to further investigate that the role played by traditional leaders in peace building and conflict resolutionin Ogaden region as well as the challenge that traditional ledears face in participating of peace building and conflict resolution in Ogaden region, Ethiopia The study was guided by the following research objectives; the profile of the respondents in terms of: age, gender, level educational and work experience, the first objective was to determine the to determine the contribution of traditional leaders in peace building process, the second objective was the extents of conflict in Ogaden region and the third objective was to determine the challenges faced by traditional leaders in peace building m1d conflict resolution. The study was conducted through descriptive survey and correlatio:1 research design by using quantitative approach with two parts questionnaire and 80 respondents was selected from selected four district Ogaden region including: Degehbor, Wardher, Jigjiga, and Korahe. The study utilized descriptive statistics, frequencies and percentage; tables were used in the presentation of data. The researcher reconunended that the poverty; high unemployment and lack opportunities wer'" challenges. To reverse these problems traditional leaders must initiate programs that provide economic opportunities for youth. The traditional leaders in the region should establish peace building and reconciliation conferences including all parts involving the civil war in the country. In order to reduce the effects of the armed violence, traditional leaders need to increase their advocacy towards public mobilization for peace.