The Formation of Ethiopia’s Federation and its Implications for the Amharas’ Quest for Recognition and Boundary Demarcations

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Ketemaw Muluye

Abstract

Federations are structural arrangements with the tenets of shared rule and self-rule. These federations may be formed through coming-together, holding-together, or putting-together processes. This article aims to situate Ethiopia in one of these three variants and examine its implications for the Amharas’ quest for boundary demarcations and equal recognition in other regions. The data were collected through interviews and document analysis. Accordingly, the article argues that Ethiopia is a putting-together federation because of major flaws committed during the transition. The putting-together federation left ethnic groups such as the Amhara without protection by regional constitutions. It also led to the sanctioning of boundary demarcations that contradicts the criteria listed under the federal constitution. Hence, it is recommended to restructure the federation through democratic bargaining.

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How to Cite
Muluye, K. (2020). The Formation of Ethiopia’s Federation and its Implications for the Amharas’ Quest for Recognition and Boundary Demarcations. Modern Africa: Politics, History and Society, 8(1), 35–63. https://doi.org/10.26806/modafr.v8i1.273
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Articles
Author Biography

Ketemaw Muluye, University of Gondar, Ethiopia

He holds a BA in Civic and Ethical Studies and an MA in Political Science from Bahirdar University, Ethiopia. Currently, he is a lecturer of political science at the University of Gondar, Ethiopia. His main research interests are identity politics and federalism. His research mainly deals with the protection of “minorities” at the sub-state political units of post-1991 Ethiopia. Moreover, he is interested in political processes such as political participation and election in Ethiopia. E-mail: kmuluye@yahoo.com.