There are constitutional provisions and specific laws that detail when new local government will be formed, what procedures and processes are to be followed and when regional institutions can be entitled to participate and decide on the formation of new local governments. The observance of these laws and procedures during the zonal formation will be dealt by this research.
The formation of zonal structures passed through serious of challenges. Many argue that zones were formed at the expense of serious struggles occurred, including arrest of famous individuals from the group who activated the question of self administration. My research tries to point about the process for self administration by ethnic groups to form zone and tries to deal how the quest was implemented i.e, whether through legally declared procedures or as political response.
The conclusion shows us the quest to creation of zonal structure with respect to realize self determination right come into force through legitimate process however, it came into force through series of problems which resulted scarification of many lives of the ethnic members. In addition to this my study tries to assess the practical problems passed during the formation of zones. Finally the paper points the creation of zonal structure was resulted not by the legally declared procedures rather it was to control the mob movement of ethnic groups. The FDRE constitution and regional constitution legally declares the ethnic groups to form their respective local administration by their own will. But the formation of zonal structures by quest of the people was beyond this legal procedures and the aim of this paper is to give information to the concerned government authorities failure to comply with constitutionally guaranteed rights may result in miss of trust between the government and the society. Finally it result in political turmoil.
Table of Contents
I: Introduction
II: The conceptual foundation about federalism
2.1. Definition
2.1.1. Federal political systems, Federalism, Federations and Confederations
2.2 Main characteristics of federalism
2.3. Types of federalism
2.4. Ethnic federalism
2.5. Aspects of Self determination right
2.5.1 Internal self determination
2.5.2 External self determination
2.6. Local governments in federations
III: Federal structure and ethnic self determination in Ethiopia
3.1. Adoption of Federal Systems in Ethiopia
3.2. Ethnic based Federalism in Ethiopia
3.3. Local governments under Ethiopian Federation
3.4. Federated Units of Ethiopian Federalism
3.5. Ethnic self determination under Ethiopian federation
3.5.1 Emergence and Development in Ethiopia
3.5.2 Self determination during transition period
3.5.3 Self determination right under FDRE and SNNPR Constitutions
3.6. Assessment of Constitutional process to formation of Zonal structures under SNNPRS
IV: Conclusion and recommendations
4.1. Conclusions
4.2. Recommendations
Research Objectives and Core Themes
The primary objective of this research is to critically analyze the constitutional process and practical implementation of zonal structure formation within the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Regional State (SNNPRS) in Ethiopia, specifically assessing how these processes align with or deviate from the right to self-determination.
- Constitutional and legal frameworks for zonal formation in Ethiopia.
- The practical challenges and political struggles associated with the quest for self-administration.
- The legitimacy of the procedures followed during the creation of new zonal structures.
- The impact of governance decisions on public trust and regional stability.
- The role of the FDRE and SNNPRS constitutions in facilitating ethnic self-determination.
Excerpt from the Book
3.6 Assessment of Constitutional process to the formation zonal structures under SNNPRS
As explained under earlier sections, this section of the research is taken as the central part of the research by discussing over constitutional process to form zonal structures under the SNNPRS. Here the researcher will try to discuss the quests raised by different government levels to form zonal structure. In addition, problems faced to form such structures will be dealt with the perspective to form self government right. In conformity with the federal constitution, regional states in the federation adopted their own constitution that provided for the establishment of ethnic based autonomous structures under the region. SNNPRS among the federated units recently in 2018 formed three new zones (Konso,Gofa and Halaba). This arrangement shows us there is growing interest in the region by ethnic groups to form their own zonal or regional structures which originally established with nine zones and five special woredas.
One among newly established zone is Gofa zonal structure which formed in 2018 by separating if self from the former Gamo gofa zone. The quest by the ethnic group to form zonal status was began before long time to the regional government but the response to the question was effected with serious of challenges. Further more in May 2019 Bench Maji zone is separated as two zones by the decision of regional government.
There are also some attempted experiences to form single zonal structures by merging different ethnic groups to be administered under single administration. This attempt was tried by the officials of regional government with the intent of making different ethnic groups to be administered under single structure. For example when we look the experience of WOGAGODA,(North Omo) which merges Wolaita, Gamo, Gofa and Dawuro ethnic groups under single administration. This formation differs when we take comparison with governing laws of the issue, It means the initiation was mainly originated by the public officials of the ethnic members. Later the structure faced serious challenges from the ethnic members in the year 1992 E.C.
Summary of Chapters
I: Introduction: Provides an overview of the FDRE Constitution's stance on self-determination and the organizational structure of SNNPRS, identifying the research scope and significance.
II: The conceptual foundation about federalism: Establishes the theoretical framework by defining federalism, its types, and the specific concept of ethnic federalism and self-determination.
III: Federal structure and ethnic self determination in Ethiopia: Examines the historical and legal implementation of federalism and self-determination in Ethiopia, focusing on the constitutional process for zonal formation.
IV: Conclusion and recommendations: Synthesizes the research findings, highlighting the gap between constitutional provisions and practical applications, and offers recommendations for reform.
Keywords
Federalism, SNNPRS, Ethiopia, Self-determination, Zonal structures, Ethnic federalism, Constitutional process, Local government, Autonomy, Political stability, Regional state, Administration, Rights, Reform.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on the constitutional process and implementation of forming new zonal structures within the SNNPRS in Ethiopia, analyzing whether these actions comply with the constitutionally guaranteed right to self-determination.
What are the central thematic areas covered?
The central themes include the theory of federalism, the legal framework of the Ethiopian federal system, the specific application of ethnic-based federalism, and the practical challenges of zonal restructuring.
What is the primary research question?
The research asks whether the quest by ethnic groups to form new zonal structures is being implemented through legally established procedures or merely as a reactive political response.
What scientific methodology is utilized?
The research is qualitative in nature, relying on primary and secondary sources, including domestic laws, constitutional documents, international instruments, and case analysis.
What does the main body address?
The main body examines the evolution of federalism in Ethiopia, the constitutional rights of ethnic groups, and provides a critical assessment of the actual processes involved in creating zones like Gofa and the historical challenges faced by structures like WOGAGODA.
Which keywords define this work?
Key terms include Federalism, SNNPRS, Ethiopia, Self-determination, Zonal structures, and Ethnic-based federalism.
How does the author view the formation of new zonal structures?
The author argues that many zonal formations were driven by political necessity or mob pressure rather than strict adherence to established legal and constitutional procedures.
What does the paper conclude regarding government authority?
The paper concludes that there is a significant disconnect between legal provisions and practice, suggesting that failure to comply with constitutionally guaranteed rights threatens to erode public trust and lead to political turmoil.
What specific recommendations are offered to the EPRDF and SEPDM?
The author recommends that the parties reform themselves, regain public legitimacy, conduct genuine discussions with the populace, and avoid "painkiller" solutions that fail to address fundamental needs.
- Quote paper
- Mamush Wana (Author), 2022, The right to self determination under SNNPRS, the constitutional process and implementation, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1189874
