Arba Minch University (AMU) and a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Action for Social Development and Environmental Protection Organization (ASDEPO) team held a collaborative discussion on the provision of legal services in South Ethiopia Region, particularly in Konso Karate, Konso Kolme, Ale, Gardula, Dasanech, and other sites. The discussion took place at AMU Main Campus on February 02, 2026. Click here to see more photos.
Welcoming the team and opening the discussion, Dr. Tesfaye Habtemariam, AMU Research Affairs Director and delegate of the Vice President for Research and Cooperation, noted that AMU is actively working with various national and international partners in research, academic development, and community capacity building. He remarked that AMU’s collaboration with UNHCR, Oxford Brookes University (UK), and other global partners has played a significant role in addressing free legal services for war-displaced communities in the region. He further emphasized that the University is ready to strengthen and expand such collaborations to reach more communities in need.
Briefing participants on AMU’s community engagement initiatives, Dr. Tolera Seda, Director of Community Engagement and University–Industry Linkage, stated that AMU has established strong partnerships with institutions sharing a common interest in providing free legal services. He noted that more than 21 legal service centers have been established across Gamo, Konso, Gofa, and South Omo Zones. Dr. Tolera also highlighted that AMU has initiated the construction of 100 houses for internally-displaced communities in Konso Zone, reaffirming the University’s commitment to community-oriented development. He added that AMU consistently welcomes and values partnerships built on shared goals and mutual interests.
Emphasizing the importance of sustained collaboration, Mr. Abreham Kinfe, Dean of the School of Law at AMU, stressed the need to strengthen the University’s capacity in delivering free legal services to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the region. He disclosed that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is expected to be signed in the near future between AMU and the Action for Social Development and Environmental Protection Organization (ASDEPO) to formalize the partnership. The dean informed that AMU along with others in the new partnership project will open three more free legal service centers at Karat Zuriya, Segen Zuriya and Dassanach woreda areas.
The UNHCR- Addis Ababa team members on their part explained that the new project is to be funded by the Government of the Republic of Korea through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and implemented jointly with ASDEPO. They stated that the 3.5-year project aims to support Gender-Based Violence Survivors (GBVS) in Konso Karate and Dasanech areas through capacity building initiatives and improved access to free legal services. They also further noted that the collaboration will soon be formalized through the signing of an MoU.
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