The Proverb: A Preserver of Shona Traditional Religion and Ethical Code

Abstract This study looks into the functions of some Shona proverbs as preservers of aspects of Shona traditional religion and moral code. It argues that the proverb is quite crucial as an embodiment of Shona religion and as an enforcer of desirable human conduct in the Shona community. Religion is an important aspect of the Shona people's way of life

The Role of Political Parties in Peacebuilding Following Disputed Elections in Africa - The Case of Zimbabwe

Disputed elections provide fertile ground for polarisation, inter-party conflict, widespread violence, mistrust and intolerance. These factors pose a threat to sustainable peace. Political parties are often instrumental in causing disturbance following controversial  elections. They often engage in electoral violence to prevent an unfavourable outcome. This study argues that political parties – both the winners and the losers – can play an important role in peacebuilding after a flawed electoral process. Using Zimbabwe as a case study, the paper discusses the challenges and opportunities that political parties experience in peacebuilding. Most of the elections in Zimbabwe have been characterised by fraud and violence, mainly perpetrated by the ruling party against the opposition. The study argues that durable peace in Zimbabwe might be achieved if the ruling party, the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU PF), and the opposition parties work together to facilitate reconciliation, justice, forgiveness and political reform.  Without collaborative peacebuilding, Zimbabwe is unlikely to achieve sustainable peace

The role of customary institutions and the challenges they are facing in transforming violent conflicts: the case of the Konso and Ale ethnic groups in southern Ethiopia

AbstractSeveral interethnic violent conflicts have escalated in Ethiopia over the last few years. Particularly in the southern regional state of Ethiopia, the conflict between the Konso and Ale ethnic groups has its roots in intercommunal crises. This study examines the role of customary institutions (CIs) in the transformation of violent conflict between the Konso and Ale ethnic groups in southern Ethiopia. The study employed a case-study research design with a qualitative approach. The data are organised and analysed thematically. The 1991 federalism and the autonomy of ethnic groups led to conflicts between the two communities. The study reveals that prior to the 1991 Ethiopian regime, the Konso and Ale ethnic groups had robust CIs used to transform conflicts ranging from personal to criminal issues. However, currently, CIs have not been able to end the ongoing conflict due to sociopolitical factors like the complex nature of conflict, erosion of traditional values due to modernization, government interventions, youth and religious misunderstandings of CIs, and the limited authority of customary systems. The new state structure and formal institutions that have replaced traditional ones with politically motivated institutions have also reduced the significance of the system

The role of customary institutions and the challenges they are facing in transforming violent conflicts: the case of the Konso and Ale ethnic groups in southern Ethiopia

Several interethnic violent conflicts have escalated in Ethiopia over the last few years. Particularly in the southern regional state of Ethiopia, the conflict between the Konso and Ale ethnic groups has its roots in intercommunal crises. This study examines the role of customary institutions (CIs) in the transformation of violent conflict between the Konso and Ale ethnic groups in southern Ethiopia. The study employed a case-study research design with a qualitative approach. The data are organised and analysed thematically. The 1991 federalism and the autonomy of ethnic groups led to conflicts between the two communities. The study reveals that prior to the 1991 Ethiopian regime, the Konso and Ale ethnic groups had robust CIs used to transform conflicts ranging from personal to criminal issues. However, currently, CIs have not been able to end the ongoing conflict due to sociopolitical factors like the complex nature of conflict, erosion of traditional values due to modernization, government interventions, youth and religious misunderstandings of CIs, and the limited authority of customary systems. The new state structure and formal institutions that have replaced traditional ones with politically motivated institutions have also reduced the significance of the system. In 1991, Ethiopia established an ethnic federal structure to prevent future violent interethnic conflicts however, this redefining of the country along ethnic lines has become the source of conflicts, causing great harm to the citizens in general and the Konso-Ale ethnic groups in particular. CIs have lost their previous authority and become weaker and unable to effectively transform such conflicts across the country, and this is true for the Konso and Ale cases. This article aims to examine the role of CIs in transforming the violent conflict between the Konso and Ale ethnic groups in southern Ethiopia. The low status of customary institutions is attributed to factors such as the establishment of a new state structure, erosion of traditional values, modern practices, youth and religious misunderstandings of CIs, and limited authority of CIs. The government and all stakeholders should work together to strengthen CIs and address ethnic conflicts.</p