Center-states Policy Coordination in the Ethiopian Federalism: Institutional Perspective

Takele Bekele Bayu

doi:10.11648/j.jppa.20200401.11

Abstract

Ethiopia as a modern multicultural and multilingual state emerged in the second half of 19 century following the military expansion of Emperor Menelik II. Paradoxically, since then for about more than a century political and legal protection had not given to the inherent multicultural and multilingual realities of the nation. However, 1991 was remarkable in the sense that the new government led by Ethiopian People Revolutionary Front (EPRDF) adopted Ethnic Federalism with the view to constitutionally recognize and institutionally accommodate the issue of nationalities in the history of Ethiopia. Although the constitution established two levels of governments and conferred them with different sets of responsibilities they are interdependent in a wide range of important political, economic and social matters. Indeed, the interdependence of the federal state and the regional states necessitates their cooperation and hence effective form of policy coordination through sound intergovernmental relations (IGR) is crucial for the smooth and efficient application of their responsibilities. The presumption in such institutional arrangement is that the federal and constituent units are represented in intergovernmental relations institutions so that decisions/ policies passed takes in to account the interest of both orders of government, states and federal. This article has attempted to examine the practice and theories of Inter-Governmental Relation (IGR) in the Ethiopian Federalism from policy coordination perspectives using secondary sources/document analysis and found out that, theoretically, the 1995 constitution is neither clear on the system of vertical intergovernmental relations (IGR) and, practically, nor in establishing guiding principles/institution in charge with such authority. Hence, the status of intergovernmental relation and policy coordination in Ethiopia not only dominated by the federal government but also largely carried out by informal channels.

Highlights

Ethiopia is characterized by great linguistic, cultural and religious diversity
Since the adoption of the 1995 constitution, Ethiopia is implementing an ethno-linguistic federal constitution which aimed at building one common political and economic community founded on the rule of law and capable of guaranteeing sustainable peace, democracy and socioeconomic development
The experience of some federations have indicated that IGR is constitutionally and institutionally guaranteed with the presumption that the federal and constituent units are represented in intergovernmental relations institutions so that decisions passed takes in to account the interest of both orders of government, states and federal

Summary

Introduction

Ethiopia is characterized by great linguistic, cultural and religious diversity. Following the imperial intrusion in the horn of Africa in the closing years of the 19 century, Emperor Menelik II had expanded the kingdom of Shawa, which was one of the loosely associated kingdoms of the Abyssinian Empire, from the present day North Central Ethiopia to the South. The major challenge in any federation is the actual exercise of power and function given the complexity of socio-cultural, economic, political and environmental system. Conflict and disagreement is inevitable over the process of policy, law and program formulation and implementation. This necessitates the need for strong constitutional principles and sound institutions to address areas of conflict and resolve differences between the two levels of governments. Attempt was made to analyze the institutional aspects of the Ethiopian federal system how it managed the actual and potential conflict of jurisdiction as well as power confrontation and functions override in the process of policy coordination and integration. The federal system was motivated by the need to accommodate ethnic diversity within a common political and economic community

The New Constitution and the Ethiopian Federalism

Federal-state Coordination and state legislative autonomy

Federal-State

Federal-State Coordination and state financial autonomy

Conclusion and Recommendations