Ethiopian Ethnic Federalism: Without a Space for ‘Indigenous Peoples’?

Abstract

This paper examines ethnofederalism track-record on dealing with the indigenous communities who had lived in isolation from the rest of Ethiopia until very recently. The particular focus is on the Majang people, who inhabit the dense forests of Gambella region. In recent years, the Majang have found themselves in contact with rapid industrialisation, which brought in investors and settlers into their traditional lands. The Majang lack the modern resources to make use of the institutional possibilities brought by ethnofederalism. This indicates the need to move beyond the lens of ethnofederalism and incorporate analytical lenses from the study of indigenous movements.

Notes

1 This paper largely follows Siegfried Wiessner’s framework of analysis which conceptualises indigenous rights as ‘cultural rights’ (2011).

2 Interview with Sahilu, Meti, June 2014.

3 Tefera Deribew, Ministry of Agriculture: MEET-ETV Talk Show, 16 May 2014.

4 Interview with Manojet Barkatakey, Verdant Harvest PLC Manager, Tapi, 23 June 2014.