De facto Asymmetry and Inter-governmental Relations in the Ethiopian Federation

Abstract

The paper examines de facto asymmetry in the Ethiopian Federation as a vari~
able that shapes both the vertical and horizontal dimensions of inter.govern.
mental relations in the Ethiopian Federation. In order 10 assess the relation
between inter-governmental relalions and de faCIO asymmetry, the paper uses
opinion survey and interview as instruments of data collection. In the survey
part, opinions of 110 jnrer·governm.enlal practitioners from the federal govern~
men! andfour regional stales were collected and analyzed using SPSS, andfor
Ihe interview part 15 practitioners were interviewed and their lived experience
in.depth analyzed Moreover, differenr governmental data, proclamations and
reports were analyzed as part of the study. The study addresses the following
questions. Does de facIo asymmetry influence the pallerns and forms of inter·
governmental relations in the Ethiopian Federation, if yes how? What are the
forms and pallerns of interactions between the different spheres of governments?
The study found out that the de facIo asymmetry is one of the important variables
that shapes the cooperative form, weak institutionalized regiona/.horizontal and
medium institutionalized verlical·national palterns of inter.governmental relations.
Moreover, it is the only factor that leads 10 the establishment 0/ a medium
institutionalized inter-governmentalforum in theform a/Special Support Board,
albeit it is not still afull-jiedged inter-governmental institution.