Federalism: unity in diversity in Ethiopia
Gemechu Tussa
It is historical that, Ethiopia experienced two systems of administration. One is the fact that, the country was ruled by unitary system for a very long period. There was no option for the people to have any other option rather coerced to be ruled by one group and later party. Previously, the monarchical regime and the military regime are the recent two regimes that could not be out of memory in this short time.
Almost all the previous regimes that ruled the country gun had no will to decentralize power. As a result, the second most populous nation in Africa, and the home of 76 registered nations, nationalities and peoples had been exploited by feudalism and military dictatorship. The people had been deprived of their rights to even use their language for their communication. It was annoying that the people of Ethiopia were denied their human and democratic rights in those old days. Rather, they were compelled to live under extreme oppression and exploitation.
Many political analysts argue the Ethiopian nations, nationalities and peoples faced the worst oppression during the military dictatorship. However, following the overthrow of that regime in 1991, Ethiopians managed to breathe fresh air of peace, equality, democracy and prosperity.
Since then, the entire image of the country was absolutely changed. Ethiopia, due to its successful participation in ensuring peace at home and in neighboring countries, is receiving praise and recognition. It has also been striving to sustain peace and security in the African continent.
Accordingly, the sustainable peace and security has helped the country to achieve remarkable economic success stories. The World Bank and other international organizations have witnessed the double digit economic growth registered over the last two decades. The once drought prone country is now becoming self-resilient. This progress would enable it to withstand drought and other disasters. It is known that the El Niño induced drought has caused drought still affecting 5.6 million people. But it did not cause any death causality in the past. The government together with partners was able to control it by providing the necessary basic aid to the affected areas. The situation best demonstrates the country’s capacity to tackle natural disasters is improving from time to time.
It is the multi-party system that EPRDF introduced to Ethiopia for the first time, which resulted in peace, stability and remarkable economic growth because in an ethnically, culturally and linguistically diversified country like Ethiopia, federal system fits perfectly because, it allows sharing centralized power with federal entities. If there is sharing of power, there could be sharing of duties and responsibilities between the regional states and the federal government.
The representatives of the nations, nationalities and peoples of Ethiopia ratified the constitution, they were fully optimistic that the federal system vividly cited in the constitution would be a viable option to strengthen their unity in diversity.
In fact, many people may not give concentration to the Preamble of the constitution. However, it is clearly stated that all nations, nationalities and peoples of Ethiopia have equal rights and should be equally benefited from their country’s economic growth.
In reference to the Ethiopian Constitution, all states have full power of self-governance. Although, they have the power to administer their regions, they are accountable to the Federal Government. At the same time, there are some conditions in which the Federal Government interferes in the states.
At the very beginning when EPRDF came to power and announced the multi-party system of governance and the time it brought nations, nationalities and peoples of Ethiopia together and coordinate them to design and endorse their constitution, many analysts fail to fear that the nation would be disintegrated.
They attempted to justify their argument by saying there were around 17 armed forces in the country. Besides, hundreds of thousands of armed soldiers of the late military regime were scattered and harbored in the society. In addition to that the country’s economy was deteriorating that EPRDF got less than 40 thousand dollars in the country. Due to these reasons, the analysts said that the country would be disintegrated and there wouldn’t be any peace and stability in the country.
What we observed after certain years really contradicted with the achievements. Ethiopia never disintegrated. It rather registered fast sustainable economic growth that could benefit its citizens at different levels. The decentralization of power among regional states helped to develop their respective regions. As a result, the people rather came together for the Renaissance of their country.
Currently, the nations, nationalities and peoples of Ethiopia are living in integration, friendship, harmony and collaboration. A National consensus has been maintained based on the will of the Ethiopian people, which is witnessed by the action the people of Ethiopia had taken during the Ethio-Eritrea war and also the cooperation they have been doing to realize the construction the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam
Despite some criticisms of the failure of the multinational federal system in Ethiopia, nations, nationalities and peoples of Ethiopia under the umbrella of their constitution have strengthened their unity. The major reason why some groups have been agitating as if the Federal System in the country imposed the fundamental and political rights of the people in the country is simply to disrupt its development.
It is an undeniable truth that, about seven months ago, the nation was facing political unrest in some parts of the country which forced the government to declare the State of Emergency. The violence was organized by some corrupt people who gave priority to themselves than the majority.
That was also aggravated by the chauvinists and anti-peace individuals who have been trying the political unrest broke out due to the ethnic based federal system. But they could not present any concrete evidence that proves the premises they present.
These ant-peace groups have also attempted to interconnect the recent violence as the result of the failure in the Federal System. However, the reality is quite different from what they have propagated. The violence was triggered by some extremist groups and rent seekers in the system.
According to some documents released by the government, rent seeking attitude, lack of good governance, bureaucratic red tape, and mismanagement of power, chauvinist, opportunist tendencies and other malpractices has aggravated the situation.
Lately, the government has come up with an appropriate solution. In fact, it is undeniable that, there is a tangible result following the State of Emergency. It is also understood the causes of public grievances and working for possible solutions having consulted with the people.
The evaluation and reform process is going on in a successfully so far. EPRDF has finalized its preparedness to solve the problems related to good governance, economic and political empowerment of the society especially among the youth. There is no problem emanated from the Federal System of the country. The nations, nationalities and peoples of Ethiopia have come together to tackle the problems they faced so far and take the gains to their end. Therefore, the arguments about the failure of the Federal System hold no water. Rather, the Federal System in Ethiopia strengthened the unison of the nations, nationalities and peoples of Ethiopia.