Vol. 12(2), pp. 29-48, March 2024 , 2024.

ISSN: 2384-6151

https://doi.org/10.14662/ijebm2024025

 

 

Full Length Research

 

From Formation to Redefinition: Exploring the Principles of Constituent Unit Boundary (un)Making in the Ethiopian Federation

 

Bekele Lemi Deressa1,2*

 

1Department of Governance and Development Management, Oromia State University, P. O. Box 209, Batu, Ethiopia. 2Department of Federalism and Governance Studies, Addis Ababa University, P. O. Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.  

*Corresponding Author’s Email: abrahambekele@gmail.com  

 

 

Accepted 20 February 2024

Abstract

 

This article examined the principles used in the (un)making of constituent unit boundaries of the Ethiopian federation from its inception in 1992 until its redefinition in 1994. It organized the data using various media reports, retrieved life experiences from seven purposely chosen Key Informant Interviews, and conducted a qualitative analysis of documents. Accordingly, it revealed eight (8) principles that were utilized in the establishment of interregional states’ boundaries in Ethiopia, including the “four principles” enshrined in the 1995 Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) Constitution and the principles of agreement among and/or between adjacent nationalities, ethnoterritoriality, ethnoculturality, and ethnolinguisticity. It also revealed historical considerations and informal agreements between officials. It was discovered that the political objectives of ethno-national groupings dictated the implementation of these principles. It is discovered that interregional state boundaries making of the 1992 had a paramount ramifications for nationality groups’ ability to safeguard, promote, and preserve the ethnonational groups’ identities.

 

Keywords: Ethiopian Federation, Principles, Interregional Boundary-making, Ethnoteritorriality

 

Cite This Article As: Deressa, B.L. (2024). From Formation to Redefinition: Exploring the Principles of Constituent Unit Boundary (un)Making in the Ethiopian Federation. Inter. J. Econ. Bus. Manage. Vol. 12(2), pp. 29- 48, March 2024