6. The interplay of customary and formal legal systems among the Tulama Oromo

weaknesses of customary and formal legal systems to settle land disputes, which involve a large group of people. The findings show that both systems tried to settle the case on a number of occasions, but each time the disputants refused to accept the proposed settlement. The case also demonstrates the failure of joint dispute settlement by representatives from customary and formal legal systems to find a satisfactory way of resolving it. Although this problem is not widespread, it, however, shows there is a need for the two systems to work closely.