BACKGROUND
Ethiopia has a complicated history of assimilating diverging viewpoints, compromising on political differences, and resolving regional tensions. The optimism that pervaded 2018-2019 has been overtaken by conflict and instability, including a devastating war in the north, burgeoning instability in several areas of the country, increased political tensions as regional states seek greater political autonomy, and renewed inter-ethnic conflict. As a result, USAID has committed to mainstreaming conflict sensitivity principles within its programming and operations. Our focus is on carefully assessing the political environment, designing strategic and targeted activities, and partnering with recognized institutions to promote peace, reconciliation, and conflict mitigation. A stable and peaceful Ethiopia plays a significant role in fostering peace and security in the region.
PRIORITIES
Through engagement with civil society and community organizations, academic institutions, and government actors, our work seeks to ensure that stakeholders are better equipped to maintain peace in their communities.
borena cross-boundary initiative for peace
Through support from USAID’s Global Reconciliation Fund, this activity aims to improve community-level resilience to conflict through strategic interventions that promote reconciliation and enhance intergroup collaboration in the Borena Zone of the Oromia Region. To achieve this, the project conducts assessments, community dialogues, awareness and information sharing activities, training sessions, workshops, conferences, group interaction, and reconciliation events.
cross boundary initiative for peace
The USAID Global Reconciliation Fund also supports an activity to bring Oromo and Somali ethnic groups in border regions together to break down social and cultural barriers and promote peaceful coexistence. This project aims to reduce identity-based competition over administrative boundaries and generate a shared understanding among local administrators and the communities at the grassroots level. The activity brings together federal and regional governments, local administrators, leaders of customary institutions, and communities from the two ethnic groups through capacity-building trainings, inter-community dialogues, public forums, and community peace festivals.
ethiopia support program
USAID supports a peaceful and inclusive reform process that provides a pathway to a more democratic country. USAID prioritizes flexibility to remain responsive to changes in Ethiopia and programmatic objectives evolve accordingly. Current activities aim to support institutions and actors that advance tangible and immediate reform to address citizens’ needs and mitigate potential conflict triggers in target regions.
