Internal Self-Determination in Ethiopia

Abstract This paper discusses cluster statehood and its implications on minority ethnic groups. Using the three statehood exercises (South-Western Ethiopian Peoples, Southern Ethiopia and Central Ethiopian regional state) as a case study, this paper highlights the main issues and challenges minority ethnic groups face in the process of statehood exercise. These include the application of the simple majority vote rule in a statehood referendum, the implication of cluster statehood on minority ethnic groups’ rights, the challenge of clustering ethnic minorities without their wishes and restructuring minorities’ ethnic administrative boundaries without a referendum. It concludes that the simple majority followed in statehood referendum makes the role of minority ethnic groups rubber-stamp rather than reflect their real interests. Creating the Central Ethiopian State without a referendum is a flagrant disregard of the constitutional procedure and hinders the full political authority of minority nnp s to decide on their affairs.