Ethnic Conflict Between the Amhara and Gumuz Groups

The current regime in Ethiopia adapted ethnic federalism and redesigned the country along ethnic lines as soon as it took political power in 1991 and formalize by drafting the constitution in 1995. The aim of this study is to examine the potentials of ethnic conflict between the Amhara and Gumuz groups: a case study in workhager Kebele in Jawi wereda, Awi nationality zone in Ethiopia. The concept of politicized ethnicity and its policy instrument 'ethnic federalism' are used in drawing the contours of national discourse on ethnicity and the dynamics of local interethnic relations which paves tension and conflict among the existing different ethnic groups in a certain spot of land or locality taking the conflict between the Gumuz and Amhara groups in case of Workhager Kebele. Generally, this study outlines the fundamental factors of the conflict, immediate factors, aggravating factors, the impact of the conflict to the dwellers of the surrounding Kebeles, the attempt of the local elders and local administrations. Finally, scientific recommendations are put as an advice to solve the conflict between the stated groups in the study.