Analysing Water Rights Conflict Resolution through Community Mediation Platforms in Ethiopia's Rift Valley: A Methodological Framework

Water scarcity in Ethiopia's Rift Valley is exacerbating conflicts among communities sharing water resources. Traditional conflict resolution mechanisms have proven inadequate, necessitating innovative solutions. The research employs mixed-methods approach combining quantitative surveys with qualitative interviews. A statistical model is used to analyse the effectiveness of mediation platforms in resolving conflicts (logistic regression model). Community mediation platforms have resolved approximately 75% of water rights disputes, indicating their efficacy. This study provides a robust methodological framework for implementing community mediation platforms to address water rights conflicts efficiently and sustainably. Policy makers should invest in training mediators and expanding access to these platforms across the region. Model estimation used $\hat{\theta}=argmin_{\theta}\sum_i\ell(y_i,f_\theta(x_i))+\lambda\lVert\theta\rVert_2^2$, with performance evaluated using out-of-sample error.