Does Ethnic Federalism imperative for Ethiopia? A critical Analysis

Abstract

One of the core principles instituted by the post-1991 government in Ethiopia that took power after a successful armed struggle was ethnic-based federalism, informed by a neo-Leninist political model called revolutionary democracy. The objective of this study is to analysis whether ethnic federalism is important for Ethiopia or not. The study used a qualitative approach. Interview was the main primary data collection method. The result of the study shows that there are competing claims, for and against federalism. The government architected the ethnic federalism system in which the country was divided into nine administrative constituents and two self-administrative cities with a full recognition of self-administration up to the right to secession. However, the practical implementation of the ethnic federalism system with the right to secession was not the right choice. Contradicting to its establishing goal, it generated and regenerated conflicts from the national to the lower local level of governance. Thus, ethnic conflicts prevailing in Ethiopia may be caused by such technicality problems and the ethnic federal arrangement in Ethiopia needs an urgent reconsideration before the case moves to the worst scenario.