Gebiso, Meseret Tesfaye2024-07-182024-07-182023-10Gebiso, Meseret Tesfaye. (2023). Ethnic Federalism and Social Cohesion in Ethiopia [Master’s dissertation, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg]. WireDSpace. https://hdl.handle.net/10539/38955https://hdl.handle.net/10539/38955A research report submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Master of Management (in the field of Public Policy) to the School of Governance, Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023As 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 violenceen© 2023 University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.EthopiaEthnic federalismSocial cohesionInter-ethnic conflicts,UCTDSDG-11: Sustainable cities and communitiesDissertationUniversity of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg