Federalism in ethiopia pdf

The constitutional decision to use ethnicity as a basis for the organisation of the state represents a recognition of the political relevance of ethnicity. For scholars like andreas eshete, the bargain that led to the formation of ethnic federalism in ethiopia was offered by a revolutionary overthrow of a unitary state. Political parties in ethiopia download ebook pdf, epub. Tsegaye regassa, comment, learning to live with conflicts. Ethnic federalism and its discontents crisis group africa report n153, 4 september 2009 page 9. Sc speaker, house of federations federal democratic republic of ethiopia.

Federalism is one of the most misunderstood concepts in ethiopia. And yet, this pioneering experiment in ethnic federalism has been largely ignored in the growing literature on democratization and ethnicity in africa and on the accommodation of ethnic diversity in democratic states the aim of this book is to bring a much needed comparative dimension to the discussion of ethiopian federalism. A study of the secession clause in the constitution, 35 publius 3, 317 2005. Its new constitution created a federal system largely consisting of ethnicbased territorial units. Federalism and selfdetermination for nationalities in a semiauthoritarian state. Ethnic federalism has been exploited to plant division among ethnic groups so as to institutionalize and facilitate rule by the tplf and other politically affiliated groups, representing a small proportion of the population. The second part of the paper uses its first part to examine ethiopias ethnic federalism. It states that states shall be delimited on the basis of the settlement patterns, language, identity and consent of the peoples concerned.

What is the advantages of federalism in ethiopia answers. The imperial period 1974 ethiopia is the only african state never colonised by a foreign power. Abstract in multiethnic country, respect of diversity and ethnic equality is a major tool for national integration. The fiscal federalism in ethiopia states have their respective autonomous governments set up. Identifying ethiopias federalism into one of stepans categories has been controversial. A means for managing or a triggering factor for ethnic conflicts in ethiopia. In particular, it discusses the two historical factors that influenced the ideology of ethiopian. Another notion which was alien to the ethiopias legal culture was of federalism. Rather than asking whether ethnic federalism is right for ethiopia, i consider the selfinterest of the architects of the policy, the circumstances of its creation, and their immediate and longterm goals. In this short essay, i approach the question of ethnic federalism in ethiopia from yet another perspective. It is actually the peoples who formed the federation as it says in the preamble we, the nations, nationalities and peoples of ethiopiahave therefore ratified, on 8 december 1994 this. Pdf ethnicbased federalism in ethiopia and its impact. Pdf the original sin of ethiopian federalism researchgate.

Addis abeba, apr 21 prensa latina with about 76 ethnic groups, ethiopia is based in a federal system that strengthens the shared identity and the social capital, underlined today local academicians. The new government publicly committed itself to three sets of fundamental reforms, namely. The evolution and structure of ethnic federalism in ethiopia 4 a preliminary. Note that although the theoretical literature on federalism and decentralization is vast, a handful of relatively general, abstract claims recur. Weaknesses of ethnic federalism in ethiopia ijhssi. What ethiopia didnt try in its modern history is confederation. Two decades after the implementation of federalism in ethiopia, turtons 2005. Ethiopia is also the major contributor more than 86 per cent of the abay nile river, upon which life in egypt and the sudan mainly depends. Federalism is a means of ensuring peace, stability and mutual accommodation in countries that have territorially concentrated differences of identity, ethnicity, religion or language. A disadvantage of federalism is the lack of accountability.

The original sin of ethiopian federalism article pdf available in ethnopolitics december 2016 with 15,797 reads how we measure reads. Ethiopia and the federal system of government kichuu. Federalism as an instrument of balancing the tension between universalism and particularism has drawn more attention in pluralistic societies. Federalism, especially in large or diverse countries, can also improve service delivery. After the end of the cold war era there is a drift in to reaffirmation of ethnic identity as a means of determining the public life of a society, the venture to ethnify. Although some ethiopian scholars tend to confuse federalism with feudal noncentralization and argue that federalism is not alien to ethiopia,72 the sole response to problems of diversity by. Being one of the most diverse nations in the world, ethiopia is not an exception to be free from ethnic conflicts due to its weak political. Hopefully, it may still help to understand the basic foundations laid by the constitution for building a federal system in ethiopia. After emperor haile selassie arranged the federation between both states in 1952, eritrea was increasingly annexed by ethiopia thomaswoolley and keller, 1994. This chapter aims at providing a general background about the politics of. Northeast african studies, volume 2, number 2, 1995 new series, pp. Wikipedia federalism is the mixed or compound mode of government, combining a general government the central or federal government with regional governments provincial, state, cantonal, territorial or other sub. These concern a competition among subnational governments, b fiscal federalism, c veto points, d accountability, and.

Multiethnic federalism in ethiopia oxford academic journals. The smallest is st kitts and nevis 261 km 2 followed by micronesia 702 km some have very large populations. Nevertheless, the approach of federalism in a way that responds to the ethiopian. Center state relations in the ethiopian federal setup. The fifth conference is a continuation of the dialogue on peace, democracy, unity and transition. What are the historical antecedents of federalism in ethiopia and how do they contribute to an. The second issue is the division of the revenue raising fiscal federalism in ethiopia between the federal government and the regions.

According to articles 1 and 47 of the constitution of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia, the country is a federation of nine ethnolinguistically divided regional states. In addition to the responsibilities provided in the constitution as either exclusively state or concurrent functions, residuary matters are also assigned to the regional states. Federalism in ethiopia was introduced by the constitution based on the principles of self determination, shared rule and self of peoples of ethiopia. No single ethnic community in ethiopia constitutes more than 50% of the countrys population. However, the oromo, amhara, somali and tigre are the major ethnic groups with significant proportions, 34. First, it examines the historical and ideological basis of federalism. Pdf weaknesses of ethnic federalism in ethiopia haymi. The section that relates to the prefederal experience of the country may assist in comprehending the historical context in which the discourse on federalism has emerged in this country. Ethiopia has developed interesting mechanism of subsidy transfer systems and formulas revised formulas in 1997, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2007, 2009. Ethiopia is a diversified nation with more than 80 ethnic groups. Its distinctive feature, exemplified in the founding example of modern federalism by the united states under the constitution of 1787, is a. Draft ethiopia ethnic federalism university of chicago law.

Consistent with its mission, vision ethiopia creates unhindered forums for scholars, professionals and concerned ethiopians. Download pdf political parties in ethiopia free online. Ethiopia tried unitary system for 96 years and federal system for 33 years, including the period of federation with eritrea. Ethiopia is an ancient country with a number of peculiarities. To do this, strong good governance and democratic institutions are very important. Actors, power and mobilization under ethnic federalism, e. Its member parties had their stronghold in snnpr and oromiya. Federalism as a tool of conflict management in ethiopiaan overview, 4 mizan l. Federalism, local government and minority protection in. To accommodate these diversities, federalism is the preferred form of government. The study of federalism has attracted scholars of various fields for a long time. Federalism is the mixed or compound mode of government, combining a general government the central or federal government with regional governments provincial, state, cantonal, territorial or other subunit governments in a single political system. The largest is the russian federation 17m km 2, canada 9. I strongly advise readers to critically read all parts of the paper to see the pros and cons of federalism, and have an informed stand as to why one disagrees with ethiopias ethnic federalism.

This book takes stock of political reform in ethiopia and the transformation of ethiopian society since the adoption of multiparty politics and ethnic federalism in 1991. Again, the part which relates to the regional context of africa may help to conceive and understand. Fiscal federalism constitutes the core and difficult area of federalism which measures the degree of division of powers among the constituent units of federations for. Despite being africas oldest independent country, ethiopia is one of africas poorest states, better known for its periodic droughts, famines, and intermittent civil conflicts. The book focuses on the tripartite relationship between federalism, democracy, and party politics. Pdf territorial autonomy for ethnic groups is an important component of ethiopian federalism designed to deal with the challenges of ethnic. Since there is an overlap of boundaries within the national and state governments, it had become tricky to assign blame for failed any failed policies. Fiscal federalism in ethiopia download 10 may to what extent is the ethiopian fiscal federalism decentralized in experience of ethiopian fiscal federalism is associated with equal access.

The basis for delimitation of the federal states is explained in article 46 of the fdre constitution. Ethnic federalism in ethiopia pdf ethiopia federalism. Decentralization, attempted democratization via ethnonational. According to the constitution, they are given all the power to develop their region. Territorial autonomy for ethnic groups is an important component of ethiopian federalism designed to deal with the challenges of ethnic diversity. Ethnic federalism in ethiopia abstract in 1991 ethiopia established an ethnic federal system that gave full recognition to ethnic autonomy, while maintaining the unity of the state. Variety of federations 25 countries and 40% of world population and 50% of surface of earth. Ethiopia boasts a landscape of extraordinary beauty and varied climatic conditions. Actors, power and mobiliza tion under ethnic federalism, is made up of a laconic preface, eight. It traces its origin to the kingdoms that emerged in the northern highlands in the fourth century. Ethnic federalism in ethiopia pdf opponents of ethnic federalism fear that it invites ethnic conflict and risks state. Its cultures, diversity and religions form a microcosm of africa.