PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF THE IMPACT OF INTER- ETHNIC CONTESTATION ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF DIRE DAWA CITY ADMINISTRATION

Abstract

As Dire Dawa is territorially coterminous with the Somali and Oromo regions, it became a bone of contention between the two regions. Both regions lay their claims over the city on the basis of ethnic territoriality. Previously Both Oromo and Somali experience ongoing contestation about land, border, and identities. However, since 1991 the nature and cause of the contestation among Somali and Oromo in and around the regional state particularly at Dire Dawa city administration contestation have been transformed into territorial and ethnic contestation. This study focused on assessing how inter-ethnic contestation impacted the development of the city administration. It attempts to explore the dynamics occur since 1991 in the city administration and also in what extent interethnic contestation among Somali and Oromo impacted the development of Dire Dawa city administration. This study has employed qualitative research design to investigate the public perception of the impact of inter-ethnic contestation on development in the study area. Under the qualitative research design the researcher used the following method of data collection such as interviews (key informant interview and in-depth interview) focus group discussion, and observation as primary data source. The participants were purposively selected. Additionaly, Secondary data source were obtained. Before data analysis, the researcher-created a collected data to be transcribed and translated then organized data was triangulated, descried and analyzed through the use of narrated analysis. It includes the finding of the research and also conclusion and recommendation.