Introduction
In recent years, university campuses across Ethiopia have witnessed intermittent clashes that signify conflicts among students of different ethnic and religious identities. It is argued that, while ethnic and religious difference are not the only causes of conflict, they can become a driving force behind violence if politics and democracy are not firmly anchored in society through strong institutional foundations. For example, the escalation of conflicts in universities in 2019 and 2020 that resulted in the loss of life of students reminds us of the vulnerability of our universities to the effects of macro-structural discord. One telling example was the situation in Woldia University1 in Amhara region, where deadly violence among students in November 2019 was attributed to personal disagreements between fans of European football clubs that degenerated into ethnic clashes. Both government and independent local media covered the incidents, which did not stop at Woldia University. Over the next two months, the supposedly domino effect of the violence had spread to Dembi Dollo University,2 now in the Oromia region, and Dire Dawa University.3 As a result, teaching and learning routines at the universities were disrupted and the authorities were forced to temporarily close those public universities. The situation deteriorated to the extent that some universities in Ethiopia had to live under curfew alongside heavy security measures imposed at the command of the Prime Minister of the country.
In the face of violent conflict, the universities were grappling with implementing different kinds of peacebuilding initiatives, including holding forums for discussion (such as conferences, seminars, and workshops), conducting peace research, and providing training aimed at awareness raising and capacity building. In this regard, Jimma University experienced relative peace, save for intermittent clashes on campus. The occurrence of conflict among students have remarkably declined over the decade. However, universities could always do more to rein in hostilities, while setting its sights on peacebuilding rather than responding through the securitization of campuses by government.
Peacebuilding requires many foundational layers. One of the most important is the psycho-social wellbeing of members of the university community, especially students. Everyone at the university needs to be well-equipped with essential skills for managing conflict, advancing conflict resolution, and engaging in impactful peacebuilding activities. These essential skills include critical thinking, practicing tolerance, and being adept at negotiation and bargaining, which are vital for the resolution of conflicts that require compromise on difficult issues involving social or identity differences. Affectively holding dialogues are crucial for cultivating peace-oriented behaviour that embraces diversity and reconciliation, and focuses on relationship building. Therefore, supporting the peacebuilding capabilities of students by developing a meticulously designed curriculum for peace education, which is relevant and context-specific, is an absolute must for Ethiopian universities.
The university’s approach so far has been supported by governmental policies and guidelines emanating from the Ministry of Education (MoE) and the Ministry of Peace (MoP), among others. A specific focus area of engagement by the MoE includes, first and foremost, creating an enabling environment for institution-level peace action in universities by supporting university-based clubs and associations, as crucial actors that provide spaces for student activities and student voice. In its commitment to the integration of sustainable development goals (SDGs) into education, the Ministry subscribes to the cherished ideals of the United Nations (UN) development goals as expressed under, among others, SDG-4.7.
By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development (Source: https://moe.gov.et/Goals).
These are some of the higher ideals which can appeal to the peace-loving younger generations of Ethiopians. Regarding the MoP, specific focus areas of engagement are more direct vis-à-vis peacebuilding on university campuses of Ethiopia, including Jimma University. A practical case in point is its provision of a guideline (2019) to establish peace forums in Ethiopia’s higher education institutions.
The University’s peacebuilding agenda has also been supported by a range of partners, including the European Union, British Council, Peace, and Development Centre (PDC) and Life and Peace Institute (LPI). However, continued support and assistance is needed for sustainability. One critical challenge in this regard is that Ethiopian universities, including Jimma University, do not seem to be in a position to take over the responsibility in full due, in part, to institutional processes for taking over such initiatives. Of critical importance is need for adequate finances and human resources, or personnel, necessary for administering such initiatives within the framework of the architecture for ensuring the sustainability of the peacebuilding agenda.
In this regard, the recent Enabling University Peace Education (EUPE) Project appears to be a notable one. EUPE has and continues to do the following:
- Provides research training to university faculty
- Engages faculty in research by sponsoring their research projects
- Engages faculty in designing programs
- Trains students
- Holds seminars and discussion forums
- Provides training to students
The EUPE Project has supported multi-tasked activities that contribute to peacebuilding. Supported by the EU and British Council Ethiopia, the project has strengthened Jinma University’s commitment to peacebuilding. It has also supported partnerships with other universities in Ethiopia and beyond. For example, it was through this project that the university was able to collaborate with Bahir Dar University and Hawassa University in Ethiopia and Coventry University (UK) on its Peace Education and training initiatives.
Jimma University is one of a handful of universities in Ethiopia which offer postgraduate degrees in Peace and Conflict Studies. These have long-term implications for peace in the country. Thus, unlike the specialist programmes, Peace Education courses and programs reach out to a broader audience. They are offered to all undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds and majoring in any discipline at the university. It is well known that students come to the university from all parts of the country, including conflict-prone or conflict-affected areas. Beyond the fragile state of peace in Ethiopia, it is apparent this diversity adds complexity to the dynamics of conflict over the campus.
Therefore, the provision of Peace Education courses that build on lived experiences could emerge as complementary, though not a substitute, to existing approaches to peacebuilding on campus. By providing degrees, and academic programmes, trainings targeting capacity building, and awareness raising, and supporting student organizations and dialogue forums, Peace Education courses at Jinma University help further promotion of peace. They are designed to be inclusive in nature, considering sex, gender, age, and socio-economic background, including geographical and socio-economic origins, as students come from both urban and rural areas.
Disclaimer: Note that the views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Jimma University.
- Tensions Remain High at Woldia University Following Student Clashes, Ezega.com. By Staff Reporter, November 11, 2019. Accessed at: https://www.ezega.com/News/NewsDetails/7424/Tensions-Remain-High-at-Woldia-University-Following-Student-Clashes
- Clashes on Ethiopian campuses kill 3 university students, Associate Press (AP), Updated 7:51 PM GMT+3, November 13, 2019. Accessed at: https://apnews.com/general-news-927e332b52ab49f3a96a545a0da1dd9b
- Dire Dawa University closes after student thrown to his death from 3rd floor, borkena.com. By Ethio-Forum, Dec 29, 2019. Accessed at: https://www.google.com/search?q=students+dies+at+dire+dawa+university
