Democratization through Indigenization: The Role of Gadaa System in Reducing Political Conflicts

Abstract

The main purpose of the study was to analyze the role of Gadaa System (Oromos’ Indigenous governance system) in democratization of political process, and its contributions in reducing political conflicts-taking the pre and post election scenarios as the target of analysis. To this end, both primary and secondary data sources were utilize, and key informant interview, observation, and focus group discussions were employed as instruments of data collection. Finally, the paper revealed that the power transferring process in Gadaa System is awfully peaceful where the incoming and the outgoing Abba Gadaas take and leave the office with blessings, and they wait the day of power transfer with a lovely gift of in kind for each other, Besides, thepolitical game ends with win-win outcome where both the incoming and the outgoing Abbaa Gadaas get promoted to the next set of leadership Thus, as Ethiopia, is characterized by its infancy of democracy, pre and post election tensions, and periodical political conflicts and violence, it is unavoidably important to look for the alternative indigenous governance system like Gadaa, and bring it into play with national context so that democratic political process prevails in the country.