THE PROCESS AND ROLE OF MELCHO INSTITUTION IN CONFLICT RESOLUTION IN SILTIE SOCIETY: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS WITH RESPECT TO THE PRINCIPLES OF RESTORATIVE JUSTICE

Abstract

The Siltie Society lives in southern Ethiopia 172 Kilo meters far from Addis Ababa (the capital city of Ethiopia). The role of Melcho institutions in conflict resolution (dispute settlement) has been manifested in their greatest neighborhood and cultural persistence with the life of the community they serve. This study was aimed to comparatively explore the role of the Melcho institution in conflict resolution to the case of Siltie Society with respect to the principles of restorative justice. The study used qualitative and doctrinal approach for the case of principles of restorative justice doctrinal approach, for the case of assessing the existence of the principles of restorative justice in the role of Melcho, qualitative approach. Finally a comparative analysis has been made. For this purpose fifteen interviews made with elders in three Woredas of Siltie zone out of eleven Woredas. Accordingly, data was collected and analyzed. The findings of the study revealed that the role of Melcho encompasses the principles of restorative justice.