The existing ethnic federal arrangement of the Federal democratic republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) is devised with the aim to accommodate the interests of distinct ethnic groups in Ethiopia. This paper attempted to conceptualize federalism as a tool for ethnic diversity accommodation through reviewing the existing literature on federalism, FDRE and south regional state constitution, city proclamations, and primary data from interview made and with researchers’ interpretive arguments.
The finding reveals that federalism at city government status contributes to accommodate rights, interests, needs and claims of competing ethnic groups, especially of ethnic minorities better at kebele institutional structures than at city institutional structures. At city institutional structures the indigenous groups are better protected rather than the non indigenous groups. Hence, the success of this process highly depends on the mechanisms adopted for sharing powers and responsibilities; the nature, subject and degree of decentralized power; and the willingness of authorities to allow the groups to exercise those powers, with other factors. Finally, This Paper tries to recommend complementary legal instrument for farther enhancement of ethnic diversity accommodation at city government status.
Table of Contents
Introduction
1. General over view of the FDRE constitution in accommodating Ethnic diversity
2. Regional constitution of SNNP in accommodating ethnic diversity
3. General back ground of Hawassa city: A Brief analysis
4. Accommodation of Ethnic diversity in Hawassa city
4.1. The protection of individual right
4.2. The right to self determination
4.2.1. The right to language and culture
4.2.2. Political participation and Power sharing
A). In the City and kebele council
B). In the City executive and kebele administration
C). In the City court
4.3. The right to autonomy
Conclusion and recommendation
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper examines how federalism functions as a mechanism to accommodate the diverse political, linguistic, and cultural interests of various ethnic groups within the context of Hawassa city's administration, identifying both the existing institutional strengths and the areas requiring further legal reform to ensure equitable representation.
- Conceptualization of federalism as a tool for ethnic diversity management.
- Analysis of FDRE and SNNPR constitutional frameworks regarding ethnic rights.
- Evaluation of political representation and power-sharing within city and kebele structures.
- Assessment of language and cultural rights protection for indigenous vs. non-indigenous groups.
- Recommendations for inclusive legal instruments and institutional enhancements.
Excerpt from the Book
4.2.2. Political participation and Power sharing
Minority groups needs to partake in socio-economic and political affairs. They need special representation in different government organs since they are numerically permanent losers. Closely observed proclamation No 51/2002 and its amendment proclamation revealed the establishment of urban local governance closer to the people is to facilitate Urban areas for development, work and residence, to promote local people self right. As an effect, Hawassa city administration was intended to ensure city residents right to self governance focusing on the representation and power sharing rights mainly in its city and kebele council, city executive and city judiciary.
A) In the City and kebele council
In accordance with the revised city proclamation No. 103/2006, members of the council are elected by city resident and where the indigenous nations or nationalities of the city is not in the majority the regional executive council may in consultation with the zonal/ special woreda council reserve up to 30% of the council seats for such indigenous nations or nationalities which is in addition to the seats filled by direct election.
The city council was established based on proclamation number 51/2002 and now it is composed of 176 members of whom 121(63%) are male 55(37%) are female. Out of those members of the city council 16 members are elected from Sidama zone for the city council that is to ensure the dominance of the empowered community.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Outlines the rise of ethno-nationalism and the role of federalism in state-building and diversity management.
1. General over view of the FDRE constitution in accommodating Ethnic diversity: Discusses the constitutional recognition of ethnic groups and the principle of self-determination in Ethiopia.
2. Regional constitution of SNNP in accommodating ethnic diversity: Analyzes how the regional state constitution empowers local nations and nationalities to exercise self-governance.
3. General back ground of Hawassa city: A Brief analysis: Provides a historical and demographic overview of Hawassa, highlighting its multi-ethnic composition.
4. Accommodation of Ethnic diversity in Hawassa city: Examines practical institutional frameworks including council representation, executive administration, and judicial access.
Conclusion and recommendation: Summarizes the findings on power-sharing disparities and proposes legal reforms to protect minority rights.
Keywords
Federalism, ethnic diversity, minority claims, ethnic accommodation, indigenous groups, non-indigenous groups, veto power, FDRE, SNNPRS, Hawassa, power sharing, political participation, self-determination, institutional structure, urban governance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
The paper evaluates how federalism and local institutional structures in Hawassa city manage the interests, rights, and political claims of diverse ethnic groups.
What are the central themes of the research?
Key themes include ethnic federalism, power-sharing mechanisms, the protection of cultural and linguistic rights, and the balance of power between indigenous and non-indigenous populations.
What is the main research objective?
The goal is to identify how federalism accommodates the priorities of minority groups within city governance and to recommend legal instruments to enhance this inclusivity.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The study utilizes a review of existing legal documents, constitutions, city proclamations, and primary data gathered through interviews, combined with critical interpretive analysis.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main body covers constitutional frameworks at federal and regional levels, the historical background of Hawassa, and detailed examinations of political, judicial, and administrative power-sharing.
Which keywords define this work?
Core keywords include federalism, ethnic diversity, minority claims, indigenous groups, veto power, and urban governance.
How does the representation in the City Council differ from the Kebele Council?
While the City Council remains largely dominated by indigenous groups, the Kebele level shows a more significant power-sharing distribution among different ethnic groups.
What is the author's main recommendation regarding the judiciary?
The author recommends the establishment of an independent and strong judiciary to ensure the protection of individual rights for non-indigenous groups living in the city.
Why is the "veto power" mentioned in the recommendations?
The author suggests granting veto power to minority groups in the city council on matters specifically affecting their interests to make their political representation more effective.
- Quote paper
- Wondwossen Mengistu (Author), 2016, Federalism as a tool for accomodation of ethinc diversity in Hawassa city, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/378988
