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Early warning systems serve as the eyes and ears in conflict risk management. This study
examines the effectiveness of the Ethiopia Conflict Early Warning System (CEWS), with a
specific focus on conflicts in Ataye Town, located in the North Shewa Zone of the Amhara
Region. Using a mixed-methods research approach and a sequential exploratory design, the
study targeted several groups, including peace actors, security personnel, disaster risk
management officials, and the communities within Ataye Town. Data were collected from 385
respondents who completed questionnaires using stratified simple random sampling. In
addition, the study engaged 39 purposively selected interviewees and 32 focus group
discussion participants, Qualitative data were analyzed thematically, while quantitative data
were processed using percentages, means, standard deviations, the Friedman Test, and
linear regression. The findings indicate that first, regarding conflict risk knowledge,
vulnerability factors including unresolved victimization (90%), ethnic federalism (75.8%),
informal armed groups (66.6%), resource competition (66.3%), poor law enforcement and
boundary disputes (63.7%), and historical grievances (61.1%) significantly contribute to
conflict, with ethnic extremism (86.1%) and firearm trafficking (58.4%) identified as primary
threats. Second, concerning conflict monitoring, the study reveals a significant lack of
uniform indicators among monitoring actors, with varying agreement levels across interreligious
councils (76%), peace committees (61%), peace clubs (53%), and field monitors
(55%), and while data were scientifically analyzed, warning mechanisms proved very weak.
Third, with respect to conflict communication, the study found that communication
exacerbates rather than mitigates tensions due to inaccessibility (73.7%), low media
coverage (64.7%), lack of planning (54.7%), insufficient credibility (40.3%), inadequate twoway
communication (45%), and polarized narratives that deepen inter-ethnic mistrust.
Fourth, regarding early response actors, effectiveness varied considerably, with traditional
conflict resolution mechanisms scoring highest (6.82), followed by De Jure Command Post
(6.54), Security Council (6.21), Ministry of Peace (5.87), DRM Council (4.95), Security Task
Force (4.78), Criminal Justice System (4.12), House of Federation (3.45), and De Facto
Command Post (3.26). Fifth, concerning the effect of early warning on early response,
regression analysis revealed that conflict communication, monitoring, and risk knowledge
collectively account for 69% of response effectiveness, yet a persistent gap between warning
and response remains, indicating that early warning does not consistently translate into
timely and effective early response due to structural, institutional, and political barriers.
Therefore, the Ministry of Peace should establish a dedicated Conflict Communication
Department, and the criminal justice system must ensure the rule of law on the masterminds
behind these conflicts. The House of People‘s Representatives should also pass legislation
that integrates peace, security, and disaster risk management actors during armed conflict
responses. Finally, the Police Commission, Disaster Risk Management Commission, and
Ministry of Peace should collaboratively develop a conflict risk profile, a conflict mitigation
strategy, and a contingency plan for Ataye Town. |
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