Federalism and the Management of Inter regional State Conflict in Ethio pia: The Case of the Oromia and Somali Regional States

Abstract

Both as an institutional principle and in practice, federalism is expected to address the root causes of inter-regional state conflict and manage such conflict before it escalates into violence. Ethiopia is, however, grappling with violent conflict, which accounts for more than 70 per cent of internal displacement. The aim of this article is to examine the management of conflict between the Oromia and Somali regional states and ascertain to what extent federalism provides an institu- tional solution to the conflict. The research is qualitative in approach and utilised key informant interviews and focus group discussions to obtain an in-depth con- textual understanding of the causes and effects of conflict between the Oromia and Somali regional states, particularly that which occurred in 2017/18. The findings are that the major causes of conflict include the power struggle with the ruling party at the centre, competition over scarce resources and control of trade routes, territorial boundary claims and counterclaims, and lack of implementation of the outcome of the 2004 referendum. In addition, it would appear that federalism, originally intended as a mechanism for managing conflict in Ethiopia, is either one of the drivers of the conflict or unable to prevent a relapse into violence. Various measures – including joint peace conferences, a referendum, and bilater- al peace and development agreements – have been adopted, but the underlying causes of conflict remain barely addressed and cooperative relations between the
two regional states are weakly institutionalised and unsustainable.