The Predicament of Ethnic Identity and the Right to Self-Determination in Ethiopia: Overview of Procedural and Practical Issues of the House of the Federation

Abstract

 Ethiopia has established a federal state structure based on ethnic identity championing the right to self-determination as one of its salient features since 1995. The Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia empowers the House of Federation to be the guardian of this right. This study examines the procedural and practical issues of the House of the Federation in responding to the growing demand for separate ethnic identity and the right to self-determination in the country. The study employed a qualitative design in data collection where in-depth interviews were conducted with members of the House of Federation and Council of Constitutional Inquiry. A review of relevant literature was also used to interpret the qualitative data. Henceforth, the study unveiled that the twenty-five years’ practice of ethnic federalism in Ethiopia has resulted in demand for separate ethnic identities and statehood posing a serious challenge for the federal government. This article argues that there are little or no clear laws, procedures and organized practices for entertaining the aforementioned claims. Therefore, it is now a high time for the federal government to revisit the constitutional provisions, related laws, and the practices of the House of Federation in order to be able to answer the increasing quest for separate ethnic identities with well-structured and organized system, which will impart a lesson and serve as a benchmark for future requests.