Brief 8 : indigenous Majang people at risk in Gambella region, Ethiopia; the time to take action on land grabbing is now
Date
2014-08
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Publisher
University for Peace Africa Programme, Addis Ababa, ET
Abstract
Though the identity of the Majang people of Gambella region of Ethiopia is inherently attached to specific forestland environment and its resources endowment, current evidence has showed that the indigenes of Majang have come under a serious threat from Highlander land grabbers leading not only to the displacement of significant number of the people of Majang but also, destruction of their forestland, water sources and wild habitats at a frightening rate. This policy brief reveals that the invasion from the highland migrants has not only deprived the capability of indigenous Majang for cultural continuity and survival as a community but also led to persistent migratory problems. Hence the local community feels an existential threat in the presence and interactions with the immigrant highlanders. Besides, inter-ethnic conflict becomes a dangerous reality that must be resolved in Majang Nationality Zone (MNZ) largely played out in an indigene-migrant divide waiting to explode, sooner or later. By and large, the policy brief concludes that the indigenous Majang people political life, economic rights and social security have come under a constant threat from highlander immigrants. This policy brief recommends societal security policy reforms i.e. securitization of inter-regional migration to mitigate the current visible reality in Majang Nationality Zone.
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Keywords
ETHIOPIA--GAMBELLA, MAJANG PEOPLE, INDIGENOUS PEOPLES, LAND RIGHTS, DEFORESTATION, CULTURAL PROPERTY PRESERVATION, RIGHT TO NATURAL RESOURCES CONTROL, LAND GRABBING, FORCED MIGRATION, ETHNIC CONFLICTS, PLANTATIONS, COFFEE, ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION
Citation
Mesfin, S. (2014). Brief 8 : Indigenous Majang People at Risk in Gambella Region, Ethiopia: The time to take action on Land Grabbing is now. UPEACE Africa Policy Series, 1(2): 89-100.