Ethnic conflict in ethiopia pdf

The study challenges the already existing thoughts on ethnicity, which map the concept on contours of polar extremes. That is, the federal structure which is based on ethnicity contributes to ethnic tensions and conflicts, widening the disparities among the ethnic groups. The theoretical ground of the study was the instrumentalist paradigm which claims that ethnic conflict is a clash between rational agents over scarce resources. Fundamental political reforms are underway in ethiopia, but as the new prime minister, abiy ahmed and his government work to bring about change in. The reason for selecting the amhara challenge as the main scenario stems partly from the specific influence that the amhara have had in ethiopia in the past, their substantial population, and some evidence of ongoing attempts at mobilization. Prime minister abiy ahmeds push for reforms since coming to office in april has failed to quell ethnic conflicts. The impact of ethnic conflict on economic development. Drivers of ethnic conflict in contemporary ethiopia. Following this, ethnic conflict could be conceptualised as a conflict. Ethiopias ethnic federalism has been the subject of heated debate among various political organizations in the country, as. Ethnic conflict in ethiopia pdf horn of africa ethiopia. Ethiopia has failed to stop such an ethnictargeted clashes, displacement and assaults that have been repeatedly observed in different parts of the country, including in benshangul gumuz. But incidence of ethnic violence was different in varying country.

Forcible eviction of population by expulsion or other coercive acts from the area in which individuals reside lawfully is unlawful and prohibited under. An ethnic conflict is a conflict between two or more contending ethnic groups. This paper sought at understanding the paradox of ethnic federalism implementation in ethiopia. An ethnic conflict is a conflict between two or more rival ethnic groups. As in many other societies, conflict in ethiopia has been, nce of ethnic conflict to the potential case of ecce romani. Although ethiopia is not new to ethnicbased conflicts, their scale and. Violence in the country significantly increased and spread to new areas, and four times as many people were displaced as in the previous year. By structuring conflicts into various categories and comparing two very distinct regions as the somali and benishangulgumuz, the author has reached his goal to increase the debate over the shape of federalism in.

The goal of the monograph is not to map conflicts or produce a database of them. Other ethnic groups are deeply wary of the oromo and this applies especially to ethiopias 6. A deadly conflict between football supporters of amhara and tigrayan caused the death of tens and injury of hundreds. But it is still important to discuss the main sources of conflict through examining the real experiences as. Addis abeba, november 272017 conceivably, if there is a single most important question that requires in depth interrogation in the present political atmosphere of ethiopia it is this one.

The last two weeks have also brought forth a new pattern of ethnic tension in the public sphere. Since then, numerous theorists and scholars have attempted to explain the different causes of ethnic conflict based on their theoretical. Particularly urgent is an evolving crisis in the southern nations, nationalities and peoples regional state, where the sidama, the largest ethnic group in ethiopia s south, pledge to declare a new regional state on 18 july, potentially setting off unrest and clashes between sidama activists and other ethnic groups. As means of conflict resolution and exercising of democracy, the government architected. Ethnic identity and the relations of amhara, ormo and tigray. The oromo are the largest ethnic group in ethiopia, numbering about 35 million. Hence the research adds another layer to the analysis by bringing in elites that promote their own material agendas to the extent that institutional conditions allow. To avoid the pitfalls yugoslavia experienced, ethiopias leaders need to address and defuse ethnic tensions immediately. Preventing further conflict and fragmentation in ethiopia. The imperial period 1974 ethiopia is the only african state never colonised by a foreign power. Drivers of ethnic conflict in contemporary ethiopia aws.

This study deals with ethnicity and interethnic relations in african context, with particular emphasis on the new ethiopian experiment of ethnic politics. Pdf african journal on conflict resolution find, read and cite all the research you need on researchgate. Reform in ethiopia 9 spikes in ethnic violence 11 3. The ethiopian broadcasting corporation has not been allowed to entertain the idea that accounts of ethnic conflict are worth reporting. This list includes both nationwide and international types of war, including but not limited to the following. There is growing concern that ethiopias prime minister has failed to address rising ethnic tensions and violence. The causes of ethnic conflict in multiethnic societies. Ethnic violence in ethiopia leaves deep wounds africa. While the source of the conflict may be political, social, economic or religious, the individuals in conflict must expressly fight for their ethnic groups position within society.

The ethiopian peoples revolutionary democratic front eprdf has instituted ethnic federal system along with ethnic right to selfdetermination up to secession. Despite being africas oldest independent country, ethiopia is one of africas poorest states, better known for its periodic droughts, famines, and intermittent civil conflicts. In developing country incidence were low and in the developing sever. Africa in general, has suffered from artificial borders drawn by former imperial and colonial rulers, akin to what is usually attributed to imperial britain as the divide and conquer policy, but practiced by almost all power brokers throughout history, ancient and modern. Download pdf federalismandethnicconflictinethiopia.

Causes and drivers of ethnic extremism in ethiopia 17 the flaws of ethnic federalism 17 exploiting opportunities 18 a fracturing ruling party 22 unemployment, propaganda, and social inequality 27 porous borders 29 5. Uncertainty, each ethnic conflict has its own unique characteristics and, in different contexts, some of these elements will be more prominent than the others, but all of them are the common denominators necessary for ethnic conflict to occur. Thousands flee ethnic conflict in western ethiopia bbc. In the gambella region, multiple ethnic conflicts between two main groups, the anyuak and the nuer, displaced tens of thousand of people ocha ethiopia, may 2004. In an attempt to distract attention from unprecedented protests and widespread discontent, the ethiopian government has engineered a series of violent ethnic conflicts in the country. Image caption ethiopias ethnicbased borders have been fuelling conflict between the two communities. This final criterion differentiates ethnic conflict from other forms of struggle. Conflict between ethiopia and eritrea global issues. Ethiopia figure analysis displacement related to conflict and violence context ethiopia experienced the highest number of new displacements related to conflict and violence in the world in 2018. Ethiopia have their own time tested indigenous conflict resolution institution, which has been used to resolve maaga intra and inter group conflicts. Many such conflicts arise and are escalated because of incitement. Ethnic federalism and conflict in ethiopia african journals online.

The rise in violent ethnic conflict in ethiopia in recent years can largely be linked to the. The purpose of this research was to investigate the main causes of the post 1991 ethnic conflicts in ethiopia based on secondary data. It argues that the recent upswing in ethnic violence is mainly due to a sharp rise in contending ethnonationalisms6 in the context of perceived party and state fragility, i. But as ethnic clashes flare, the changes may not be enough to stabilize the nation. This empirical study shows that the system eases conflict at some levels but also sharpens interethnic and intraethnic divides on the ground. Nationalities and peoples regional state, where the sidama, the largest ethnic group in ethiopias south, pledge to declare a new regional state on 18 july, potentially setting off unrest and clashes between sidama activists and other. Violent ethnic conflicts have rocked ethiopia since 2018. Pdf weaknesses of ethnic federalism in ethiopia haymi.

But federalism may either reduce or exacerbate conflicts. Maaga indigenous conflict resolution institution among. The situation in ethiopia is now relatively stable. Effectiveness of ethnic federalism in preventing conflict. How ethnic violence is destabilising ethiopias reform gains. As howrowitz stated in his famous ethnic groups in conflict. A combination of italy drawing the maps in this region and later, cold war support for dictators, has been part of the. Ethnic federalism has been exploited to plant division among ethnic groups so as to institutionalize and facilitate rule by the tplf and other politically affiliated groups, representing a small proportion of the population. Ethiopias prime minister abiy ahmed has introduced dramatic reforms since assuming power more than nine months ago.

What is behind clashes in ethiopias oromia and somali. To attain this objective, the study employed both secondary and primary data sources. Fundamental political reforms are underway in ethiopia, but as the new prime minister, abiy ahmed and his government work to bring about change in the country, historic ethnic divisions have erupted. Also listed might be any battle that occurred within the territory. Ethnic amharas, for instance, have claimed ownership of the wolqait and raya territories in northwestern ethiopia, leading to tensions with the tigray region, which currently administers these. The majority of conflicts in ethiopia that are dubbed ethnic, are about land and the boundaries between territorialised ethnic groups abbink 2006. Having gone through decades of repression and then an abrupt opening, ethiopias political sphere is awash with the irreconcilable demands. Developing country management ethnic conflict by participation and justice policy that the equality is the best way for resolve this problem.

The study examined identity politics and conflict under ethnic federal system in ethiopia. This is a list of conflicts in ethiopia arranged chronologically from medieval to modern times. Ethiopia must abandon ethnic politics or it will explode. Asnake kefales account on federalism and ethnic conflict in ethiopia is valuable and highly recommendable for interested readers. Using comparative and empirical approaches, this study analyses the impacts of federalism on ethnic conflicts in ethiopia in general and in the somali and benishangulgumuz regions in particular. Ethiopia is experiencing one of its worst population displacements due to violence in decades, as conflict between ethnic somali and oromo has. Ethnic conflict, political crisis and the future of ethiopia. Accordingly, the research has established that the post 1991 ethnic conflicts in ethiopia consisted of multifaceted. It traces its origin to the kingdoms that emerged in the northern highlands in the fourth century. The politics of ethnic identity and conflicts under ethnic. This article investigates the maaga indigenous conflict resolution institution among libido marko ethnic group in gurage zone southern ethiopia, with. A major reason for the fighting is the sharp rise in contending militant.

Ethnicity, ethnic conflict, ethno history of ethiopia, ethnic politics. Drivers of ethnic conflict in contemporary ethiopia iss africa. The tigray people liberation front took power in 1991 and established the ethiopian people democratic revolutionary front. Reports of murder, ethnic conflict, ethnic cleansing, public dissatisfaction, famine and similar problems cannot be brought to the media. While the origin while the origin of the conflict may be polit ical, social, economic or religious. The primary data were gathered through indepth interviews, focus group discussions, and observations. Ethiopia s unique system of ethnicbased federalism claims to minimise conflict by organising political power along ethnic lines. Concepts and theories 25 of treaties and the coining of money is independent of the government of the associated states, and, on the other hand, state governments which in certain matters are, in their turn, independent of the general government. Though it seems straightforward enough, it is an enormous research question that necessitates proper scrutiny and.

Ethnic conflict has gained much attention since the end of cold war and it becomes a worldwide matter. Ethiopia is an ancient country with a number of peculiarities. Hundreds of thousands of displaced ethiopians are caught. Dont let ethiopia become the next yugoslavia foreign policy. Pdf on oct 1, 2015, legesse tigabu mengie and others published ethnic federalism and conflict in ethiopia. Istic when applied to the multiethnic conditions of ethiopia.