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The customary conflict resolution mechanisms help to ensure peace and security thereby to maintain stability in the country in general and in Raya in particular. It is also accessible to members of the society. Above all such customary tribunals activities reduce unnecessary delay of justice, as "Justice delayed is justice denied." And customary conflict resolution mechanisms help to avoid the sentiment of revenge among the disputing parties. However, the customary conflict resolution mechanisms have their own defect and sometimes they contradict with modern legal systems as they support criminals not to be prosecuted since customary tribunals resolve the problem. In Raya-rayuma there are almost the same customary laws and traditional practices though the people speak different languages. The Rayan customary conflict resolution mechanisms mainly focus on settling disputes and redressing the victim(s) of the conflicts rather punishing the perpetrator.
About the author
Sisay Mengistie has an LL.M in Human Rights Law from Addis Ababa University and holds LL.B and M.A from Ethiopian Civil Service College. Currently,he is a lecturer at Addis Ababa Univeresity, Institute of Federal Studies. He was also Director General of Amhara Region Justice Profesional's Training and Legal Research Institute.
