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Pastoralism in Ethiopia as elsewhere has been put under increasing pressure resulting from natural and human induced factors. In the past pastoralism was systematically alienated from mainstream development. More than any other pastoral groups in Ethiopia the north Afar pastoralists have been neglected in terms of research and development programmes. Thus, this case study was conduced in north Afar pastoral settlements to address issues of pastoral natural resources management and indigenous conflict management.

The specific objectives were:

1. Describe patterns of rangeland resource utilization and trends of change observed in north Afar pastoral areas
2. Assess characteristics of pastoral herd mobility
3. Identify major herding strategies employed by Afar pastoral groups
4. Examine and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of existing pastoral development interventions
5. Understand the nature of intra and interethnic conflicts in Afar land and its vicinity.
6. Examine local strategies for conflict mitigation both at the community and inter-ethnic level.
7. Investigate the institutional dynamics in conflict management among the Afar
8. Assess the effectiveness of the local institutions in bringing long lasting solutions to conflicts.
9. Understand the functional relationships between local indigenous institutions of conflict resolution and modern judiciary structures.
10. Identify the challenges and prospects of local institutions of conflict management in the wake of current socio political changes at the national level particularly in connection with the new ethno-federal arrangement in Ethiopia.
11. Provide a platform for discussing pastoral development issues and its challenges.