Contributions of Social Community Structures on Conflict Management among Pastoral Communities in the Ilemi Triangle

Peace continues to be elusive in the Ilemi Triangle, located at the intersection of Ethiopia, Kenya, and South Sudan. The area experiences intermittent conflict among Turkana, Dassanech, Nganyatom, and Toposa. This study focused on the increased frequency and intensity of violent conflict between t...

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Main Authors: Daniel M. Kitonga, Beatrice Ndiga, Oliver Noonan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Utafiti Foundation 2025-01-01
Series:Eastern African Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://utafitionline.com/index.php/eajhss/article/view/874
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author Daniel M. Kitonga
Beatrice Ndiga
Oliver Noonan
author_facet Daniel M. Kitonga
Beatrice Ndiga
Oliver Noonan
author_sort Daniel M. Kitonga
collection DOAJ
description Peace continues to be elusive in the Ilemi Triangle, located at the intersection of Ethiopia, Kenya, and South Sudan. The area experiences intermittent conflict among Turkana, Dassanech, Nganyatom, and Toposa. This study focused on the increased frequency and intensity of violent conflict between the Dassanech and Turkana communities in the region. Drawing from the Systems Theory, the study established how informal community social structures contribute to sustainable conflict management among the pastoralist communities in the Ilemi Triangle. Using qualitative case study methods, the study held in-depth interviews with members of local Dassanech and Turkana communities purposively selected to include a range of different members from each community who engage in inter-communal dialogue. These in-depth interviews were supplemented by focus group discussions of participants through a quota sampling, each involving members from four kraals and kebele on either side of the conflict line who are immediately affected by the conflict. The data was analysed based on themes and sub-themes. There is compelling evidence that the social roles within the structures are functional and influential. Specific functions are designated to different roles, and each role, through its respective functions, creates the system that manages the community. The study provides insights into processes associated with conflict and cooperation between these communities from social and organizational perspectives.
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spelling doaj-art-bf7a97a913fe41fbb8f07e0a045b57942025-08-20T03:31:23ZengUtafiti FoundationEastern African Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences2958-45582025-01-014110.58721/eajhss.v4i1.874Contributions of Social Community Structures on Conflict Management among Pastoral Communities in the Ilemi TriangleDaniel M. Kitonga0Beatrice Ndiga1Oliver Noonan2Tangaza University, KenyaTangaza University, KenyaTangaza University, Kenya Peace continues to be elusive in the Ilemi Triangle, located at the intersection of Ethiopia, Kenya, and South Sudan. The area experiences intermittent conflict among Turkana, Dassanech, Nganyatom, and Toposa. This study focused on the increased frequency and intensity of violent conflict between the Dassanech and Turkana communities in the region. Drawing from the Systems Theory, the study established how informal community social structures contribute to sustainable conflict management among the pastoralist communities in the Ilemi Triangle. Using qualitative case study methods, the study held in-depth interviews with members of local Dassanech and Turkana communities purposively selected to include a range of different members from each community who engage in inter-communal dialogue. These in-depth interviews were supplemented by focus group discussions of participants through a quota sampling, each involving members from four kraals and kebele on either side of the conflict line who are immediately affected by the conflict. The data was analysed based on themes and sub-themes. There is compelling evidence that the social roles within the structures are functional and influential. Specific functions are designated to different roles, and each role, through its respective functions, creates the system that manages the community. The study provides insights into processes associated with conflict and cooperation between these communities from social and organizational perspectives. https://utafitionline.com/index.php/eajhss/article/view/874CommunityConflict managementPastoralPeace
spellingShingle Daniel M. Kitonga
Beatrice Ndiga
Oliver Noonan
Contributions of Social Community Structures on Conflict Management among Pastoral Communities in the Ilemi Triangle
Eastern African Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences
Community
Conflict management
Pastoral
Peace
title Contributions of Social Community Structures on Conflict Management among Pastoral Communities in the Ilemi Triangle
title_full Contributions of Social Community Structures on Conflict Management among Pastoral Communities in the Ilemi Triangle
title_fullStr Contributions of Social Community Structures on Conflict Management among Pastoral Communities in the Ilemi Triangle
title_full_unstemmed Contributions of Social Community Structures on Conflict Management among Pastoral Communities in the Ilemi Triangle
title_short Contributions of Social Community Structures on Conflict Management among Pastoral Communities in the Ilemi Triangle
title_sort contributions of social community structures on conflict management among pastoral communities in the ilemi triangle
topic Community
Conflict management
Pastoral
Peace
url https://utafitionline.com/index.php/eajhss/article/view/874
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AT olivernoonan contributionsofsocialcommunitystructuresonconflictmanagementamongpastoralcommunitiesintheilemitriangle