Ethnic Federalism and Social Cohesion in Ethiopia

Abstract

As an ethnically diverse country of more than eighty ethnic groups, Ethiopia adopted ethnic-federalism system in 1995. Ever since its adoption, the system has been a very controversial subject in Ethiopia. The discourse on the issue has been very polarised. This study explores the relationship between the ethnic federalism system and social cohesion in Ethiopia so as to contribute to the discourse with empirical evidence and analysis which is lacking in the Ethiopian context. Primary narrative data that is interviews of key informants and secondary data from international data bases is employed to answer the research question. The secondary data analysis has illustrated that conflicts and violence have significantly increased and social cohesion is declining. The primary data analysis has revealed that the system’s narratives, structures and implementations strengthened exclusive identities; incentivised elite behaviours that lead to conflicts and violence. Overall, the findings indicated that the ethnic federalism system has played a role in the erosion of inter- ethnic cohesion and in increasing inter-ethnic conflicts and violence