Mereja.Forum

[Odie]

Frankly, Ethiopia under ethnic federalism has fared both better and worse, depending on the lens through which you view it.
Better in Some Ways:

1. Recognition of Ethnic Rights: Ethnic federalism, introduced by the 1995 constitution, formally recognized the diverse ethnic groups within Ethiopia, giving them a degree of autonomy. This system allowed ethnic groups to preserve their cultures, languages, and local governance structures. In a country as diverse as Ethiopia, this was an important step in ensuring that ethnic groups were not completely dominated by one central authority, as had been the case historically.

2. Political Mobilization and Representation: Ethnic federalism allowed marginalized groups, like the Oromo, Somali, and Sidama-MIND YOU JUST THE THREE ETHNICS, to gain more political power and influence. This represented a significant shift from past centralization, where these groups were often sidelined.

3. Economic Autonomy in Some Regions: Some regions, like Tigray and Oromia-the trouble makers, never satisfied hells, were able to leverage their autonomy for local development. For instance, Tigray was one of the better-developed regions during the 1990s and 2000s-because of stealing, largely due to its local government’s focus on infrastructure and development (though the Tigray conflict has undermined this in recent years).

Worse in Many Other Ways:=THIS IS THE SHEER TRUTH
1. Increased Ethnic Tensions and Fragmentation: While ethnic federalism was supposed to prevent the domination of one ethnic group over others, it has instead deepened ethnic divisions. The emphasis on ethnicity in political and administrative boundaries has created intense competition for resources, land, and political power between groups. This has led to inter-ethnic violence, displacement, and long-standing territorial disputes.

2. Weak National Unity: Ethiopia’s identity has shifted more toward ethnic affiliation than a shared national identity. This has made it harder to foster a sense of unity or loyalty to the state as a whole. In the past, Ethiopians might have rallied under the national flag, but under ethnic federalism, the country seems to be fragmented along ethnic lines.

3. Political Instability: Ethnic federalism has often led to political instability, as regional governments and their militias are sometimes more loyal to their ethnic constituencies than to the central government. This has created a situation where the state has difficulty enforcing its authority over all regions. The Tigray War (2020–2022) and the conflicts in Oromia and Benishangul-Gumuz are prime examples of how ethnic federalism has contributed to prolonged violence and instability.

4. Rise of Ethnic Nationalism: The system has given rise to ethnic nationalism, where political movements and militias prioritize the interests of their ethnic group, often at the expense of national cohesion. This has made it harder to address issues of national importance that transcend ethnic boundaries, like economic development and security.

5. Inequality and Underdevelopment: While some regions have benefited, others have been left behind. Oromia, despite its size and population, has faced economic challenges and underdevelopment. Additionally, ethnic federalism has allowed political elites within certain ethnic groups to consolidate power, but at the same time, the state has struggled to reduce poverty and inequality in less developed regions.

6. Human Rights and Accountability: Ethnic-based violence, often perpetrated by armed ethnic militias, has led to widespread human rights abuses. Ethnic federalism has not prevented such violence from occurring, and in some cases, it has exacerbated it. The lack of accountability for these abuses—whether from the government or ethnic militias—has also worsened the situation.

In Summary:
Ethiopia under ethnic federalism is faring worse than it did under previous systems, particularly in terms of national unity and political stability. While (some) ethnic groups have gained more recognition and some autonomy, the system has also contributed to greater ethnic fragmentation, violence, and instability. Past regimes (such as the Derg or Imperial period) were not without their flaws—centralized power led to oppression, inequality, and neglect of certain ethnic groups—but at least they managed to keep a semblance of unity and control over the country. Ethnic federalism, in contrast, has deepened internal divisions and made governance more complex and less stable.

If Ethiopia is to move forward, it will likely need to find a middle ground, where ethnic identity is respected, but not at the expense of national cohesion and peace.

There you are: for every 3 good things you get to make Oromo, sidama, Tigre and Somali sadists happy, you earn 6 crushing vices to destroy Ethiopia and abuse 81 of the remaining Ethnics.
We know, ethnic governance is not good for Ethiopia and will never be. We know now ethnics deserve the right to lawful self-expression and regional development but destruction of our country or other minor ethnics.

So why are we not changing the status quo? Because of the prevailing dictatorship and ethnic superiority or hegemony (another Mengistu in office, now ethnically enabled and motivated). This unfortunately justifies another revolution or national dialogue, amendment as well as reconciliation measures to institute a fair and stable system in the country.

[Digital Weyane]

የብሔር ፌዴራሊዝም እንደኛ ተጋሩ ያሉ አናሳ ብሔሮች ስልጣን መያዝ እንዲችሉና የሀገሪቷን ሃብት በበላይነት እንዲቆጣጠሩ የሚያስችል እድል የሚሰጥ በመሆኑ ሙሉ በሙሉ እደግፈዋለሁ።

[Mesob]

This is an excellent analysis. Ethnic federalism has created insurmountable destructive conflicts in Ethiopia that is akin to Ethiopia after Islamic Jihadi invasion of Ahmed Gragn and the chaos that ensued after the so called "Galla" invasion. It is far worse than it had ever been in the last 500 years.

2. Weak National Unity: Ethiopia’s identity has shifted more toward ethnic affiliation than a shared national identity. This has made it harder to foster a sense of unity or loyalty to the state as a whole. In the past, Ethiopians might have rallied under the national flag, but under ethnic federalism, the country seems to be fragmented along ethnic lines.

3. Political Instability: Ethnic federalism has often led to political instability, as regional governments and their militias are sometimes more loyal to their ethnic constituencies than to the central government. This has created a situation where the state has difficulty enforcing its authority over all regions. The Tigray War (2020–2022) and the conflicts in Oromia and Benishangul-Gumuz are prime examples of how ethnic federalism has contributed to prolonged violence and instability.

[Odie]

This is an excellent analysis. Ethnic federalism has created insurmountable destructive conflicts in Ethiopia that is akin to Ethiopia after Islamic Jihadi invasion of Ahmed Gragn and the chaos that ensued after the so called "Galla" invasion. It is far worse than it had ever been in the last 500 years.

2. Weak National Unity: Ethiopia’s identity has shifted more toward ethnic affiliation than a shared national identity. This has made it harder to foster a sense of unity or loyalty to the state as a whole. In the past, Ethiopians might have rallied under the national flag, but under ethnic federalism, the country seems to be fragmented along ethnic lines.

3. Political Instability: Ethnic federalism has often led to political instability, as regional governments and their militias are sometimes more loyal to their ethnic constituencies than to the central government. This has created a situation where the state has difficulty enforcing its authority over all regions. The Tigray War (2020–2022) and the conflicts in Oromia and Benishangul-Gumuz are prime examples of how ethnic federalism has contributed to prolonged violence and instability.

I am wondering if you from Ethiopia or Eri
Although shabiyans may differ, you make some impressive posts often!

[Axumezana]

Odie ,
You are a jealous Eritrean & the below item 3 statement is not true & only used as political blackmailing of Tigray ! If you have any data to substantiate it bring your data.
The politicization of Ethnicity was the major weakness of the Federal system that was established by the TPLF led EPRDF and the revised constitution has to ban ethnic based political parties( including TPLF) similar to the ban on religious parties.

"3. Economic Autonomy in Some Regions: Some regions, like Tigray and Oromia-the trouble makers, never satisfied hells, were able to leverage their autonomy for local development. For instance, Tigray was one of the better-developed regions during the 1990s and 2000s-because of stealing, largely due to its local government’s focus on infrastructure and development (though the Tigray conflict has undermined this in recent years)."

[Dama]

Odie the chimp monk

I could bury you 6ft under with this your half-baked, traz--neteq thesis.

[Odie]

Odie ,
You are a jealous Eritrean & the below item 3 statement is not true & only used as political blackmailing of Tigray ! If you have any data to substantiate it bring your data.
The politicization of Ethnicity was the major weakness of the Federal system that was established by the TPLF led EPRDF and the revised constitution has to ban ethnic based political parties( including TPLF) similar to the ban on religious parties.

"3. Economic Autonomy in Some Regions: Some regions, like Tigray and Oromia-the trouble makers, never satisfied hells, were able to leverage their autonomy for local development. For instance, Tigray was one of the better-developed regions during the 1990s and 2000s-because of stealing, largely due to its local government’s focus on infrastructure and development (though the Tigray conflict has undermined this in recent years)."

Trash WOYANE
SALVAGE YOURSELF

[Mesob]

I am a very angry Eritrean at the mess created by the so called Educated elite obsessed to hold on borrowed Italian colonization and Arabization concepts. I also see similar problems, even worse in Ethiopia, created by its educated elite class obsessed with ethnicity, ethnic and linguistic federation who are driven to burn down everything in historical Ethiopia. In general, I am angry at the entire Horn of Africa and the mess created by its educated class, who are obsessed to copy and imitate everything they see beyond their borders.

This is an excellent analysis. Ethnic federalism has created insurmountable destructive conflicts in Ethiopia that is akin to Ethiopia after Islamic Jihadi invasion of Ahmed Gragn and the chaos that ensued after the so called "Galla" invasion. It is far worse than it had ever been in the last 500 years.

2. Weak National Unity: Ethiopia’s identity has shifted more toward ethnic affiliation than a shared national identity. This has made it harder to foster a sense of unity or loyalty to the state as a whole. In the past, Ethiopians might have rallied under the national flag, but under ethnic federalism, the country seems to be fragmented along ethnic lines.

3. Political Instability: Ethnic federalism has often led to political instability, as regional governments and their militias are sometimes more loyal to their ethnic constituencies than to the central government. This has created a situation where the state has difficulty enforcing its authority over all regions. The Tigray War (2020–2022) and the conflicts in Oromia and Benishangul-Gumuz are prime examples of how ethnic federalism has contributed to prolonged violence and instability.

I am wondering if you from Ethiopia or Eri
Although shabiyans may differ, you make some impressive posts often!

[Odie]

I am a very angry Eritrean at the mess created by the so called Educated elite obsessed to hold on borrowed Italian colonization and Arabization concepts. I also see similar problems, even worse in Ethiopia, created by its educated elite class obsessed with ethnicity, ethnic and linguistic federation who are driven to burn down everything in historical Ethiopia. In general, I am angry at the entire Horn of Africa and the mess created by its educated class, who are obsessed to copy and imitate everything they see beyond their borders.

This is an excellent analysis. Ethnic federalism has created insurmountable destructive conflicts in Ethiopia that is akin to Ethiopia after Islamic Jihadi invasion of Ahmed Gragn and the chaos that ensued after the so called "Galla" invasion. It is far worse than it had ever been in the last 500 years.

2. Weak National Unity: Ethiopia’s identity has shifted more toward ethnic affiliation than a shared national identity. This has made it harder to foster a sense of unity or loyalty to the state as a whole. In the past, Ethiopians might have rallied under the national flag, but under ethnic federalism, the country seems to be fragmented along ethnic lines.

3. Political Instability: Ethnic federalism has often led to political instability, as regional governments and their militias are sometimes more loyal to their ethnic constituencies than to the central government. This has created a situation where the state has difficulty enforcing its authority over all regions. The Tigray War (2020–2022) and the conflicts in Oromia and Benishangul-Gumuz are prime examples of how ethnic federalism has contributed to prolonged violence and instability.

I am wondering if you from Ethiopia or Eri
Although shabiyans may differ, you make some impressive posts often!

My personal view is Eritreans should decide the fate of eritrea. Of course we all have a lot in common because of the region itself as u said wether we like it or not. My wish for HoA has been to be interconnected with free citizen mobility and perhaps development like south African, SADC countries. I witnessed their exemplary interconnection.
Kudos to you and another poster Deki-arawit, i suspect almaz also eritrean (i know every body here is called agame) for holding your different views that are refreshing. I had very good Eritrean friends etc and no reason for us to eat each other again. Not a fan of another war between the two countries.