Abraham Sahilu

Challenges of Ethnic Federalism in Ethiopia

Ethnic federalism in Ethiopia faces significant challenges, particularly regarding national fragmentation and the consistent implementation of human rights standards. While the system was designed to accommodate ethnic diversity, it has raised concerns about the country’s unity and stability. The FDRE Constitution explicitly grants the right to self-determination, including secession, which brings the risks of fragmentation and disintegration into practical consideration (Article 39, FDRE Constitution, 1995). Given these risks, many question the long-term viability of ethnic federalism in sustaining a unified federal system. If the right to secession leads to disunity, then the very mechanism intended to resolve ethnic tensions becomes a source of instability rather than a solution.

During the 2007 election campaign, various political parties debated the merits and drawbacks of ethnic federalism. Opposition party leaders argued that the ethnic-based federal system had failed to deliver on promises of development, democracy, and unity. They claimed it perpetuated poverty, restricted individual liberties and good governance, and fostered mistrust among ethnic groups. These conditions, they asserted, discouraged cross-ethnic organization and reinforced the political dominance of the ruling party.

Since the transitional charter of 1991 and the adoption of the 1995 FDRE Constitution, critics argue that Ethiopia’s experience with ethnic federalism has yielded more problems than solutions. One of the most fundamental challenges is what can be described as “integrating while disintegrating.” Granting unconditional rights to secession within a framework that aims to preserve national unity is both conceptually flawed and practically dangerous.

Defining Ethiopia along ethnic lines has produced inherent challenges. Ethnic divisions, rather than promoting harmony, have often sparked and sustained conflict. The ethnic-based structuring of federal units has diminished the broader sense of national identity. A direct consequence of this model is the erosion of “Ethiopianism”—a shared national identity. In contemporary Ethiopia, ethnic loyalty increasingly takes precedence over national citizenship, a trend not seen to this extent at any other point in the country’s history. As a result, the need of the current as well as the future generation is to rebuild the country, abolishing ethnic sentiments. To achieve this, changes in the constitution are found to be mandatory due to the rise of ethnic federalism has coincided with a decline in national cohesion and unity.

Abraham Sahilu

The Detrimental Consequences of Ethnic-Based Federalism in Ethiopia and the Urgent Need for Constitutional Reform

Let me begin by asking why Ethiopia is currently using ethnic-based federalism? What is its relevance of advocating for ethnicity? Do you think that is a political reason? For me, yes, the government, the political power holders who are sitting on the throne and pursuing their indulgent life, do not like people’s unity. Remember the proverb “United we stand, divided we fall.” of course the it seems like that political power holders needs it to sustain their life time on power. What are the unfolding problems that Ethiopia is facing?

The 1995 FDRE Constitution justified the incorporation of ethnic federalism at the time of its enactment as an attempt to manage the country’s ethnic diversity. However, the silliest part of the constitution is that it does not directly confer the rights to individuals; rather, you are supposed to be a part of a certain nation or nationality to exercise any kind of right mentioned under the constitution. The preamble says that:  “we the nations and nationalities…”, from this stipulation, you can easily understand that the ultimate political power is granted to the groups. Further, it includes the unique right which is uncommon in almost all of the world’s countries’ constitutions; this unique right has mentioned under article 39 of the constitution, nations, nationalities, and peoples also have the right to self-governance, including the right to secede. While the system was basically intended to correct what had been said historical injustices and empower marginalized groups, it has instead fostered division, violence, and political instability. This essay critiques ethnic federalism in Ethiopia, showing how it has institutionalized ethnic identity, exacerbated conflict, undermined democracy, and weakened national unity. And also, I would like to argue for the urgent abolition of this system and the adoption of any other, i.e., a geographical-based federal structure. The following reasons could be the first footsteps against arguments ethnic based structure.

It prioritizes Ethnic Identity over citizenship

Ethnic federalism emphasizes ethnic identity over national citizenship, thus weakening the sense of belonging to a unified Ethiopian nation. Regional states are delineated according to dominant ethnic groups, and practically speaking, citizens are identified by their first ethnicity rather than nationality. This structure has encouraged ethno-nationalist sentiment and discouraged cross-cultural integration (Asnake, 2013).

Proliferation of Ethnic Conflict  and Obstruction to Democratic Governance

Far from resolving ethnic grievances, ethnic federalism has escalated ethnic tensions and conflicts. The establishment of ethnically homogeneous regions with distinct security forces has turned political disputes into violent confrontations. According to a report by ACCORD (2021), the system has “sharpened boundaries among the different ethnic groups” and led to large-scale internal displacement and recurring ethnic violence.

On the other hand, rather than promoting inclusive governance, ethnic federalism has entrenched the power of ethnic elites and reduced democratic competition. Political parties are often ethnically based, which limits cross-regional political engagement and encourages exclusionary practices. According to Fessha & Gebregziabher, 2021, this has “undermined the prospects for democratic consolidation.”

It is a Threat to National Integrity and an Impediment to Development

Article 39 of the constitution, granting ethnic groups the right to secede, has made the country’s territorial integrity precarious. It encourages separatist movements and deters long-term state-building efforts. In the most recent northern conflict between the central government and the TPLF, this provision was a central point of contention, which shows us its destabilizing potential (Abbink, 2011).

Plus to that, looking from the point of development view, Ethnic federalism has no contribution; it hampers national development efforts due to fragmented governance, duplication of corrupted administrative structures, and inter-regional distrust. The obvious fact is that coordinated economic policies are difficult to implement in such a system where regions prioritize ethnic interests over national goals (Záhořík, 2014). The result is uneven development and persistent poverty.

Reference

Abbink, J. (2011). Ethnic-based federalism and ethnicity in Ethiopia: Reassessing the experiment after 20 years. Journal of Eastern African Studies, 5(4), 596–618.

ACCORD. (2021). Ethnic conflict under ethnic federalism in Ethiopia. African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes.

Asnake, K. (2013). Federalism and ethnic conflict in Ethiopia: A comparative regional study. Routledge.

Fessha, Y., & Gebregziabher, H. T. (2021). Is constitutional design the cause of ethnic conflicts in Africa? A comparative study of Ethiopia and Kenya. India Quarterly, 77(4), 519–535.

Záhořík, J. (2014). The Horn of Africa: Intra-state and inter-state conflicts and security. International Journal of African Renaissance Studies, 9(1), 114–130.