Consociational Democracy, Non-Territorial Autonomy andProportional Electoral System: Tripartite Mechanisms for MinorityProtection within the Ethiopian Federation

Ethiopia is a country characterized by astonishing diversity and a state with deep historical roots. Following thecollapse of the military regime in 1991, ethno-linguistic federalism was implemented to decentralize the previouslycentralized administrative bureaucracy and grant regional and local autonomy to the country's numerous ethnicgroups. This system aimed, among other things, to mitigate ethnic tensions and conflicts. However, inter-ethnicconflicts are now rampant, primarily stemming from issues related to minority protections, administrativeboundaries, self-administration, and identity. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the major challenges facingminorities and propose a tripartite mechanism for their protection. A qualitative research method, employingdescriptive and explanatory approaches, was used. Data were collected from both primary and secondary sourcesthrough key informant interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs), and document analysis. Structured and semi-structured questions were developed for the key informant interviews and FGDs. Sample respondents werepurposefully selected from four regional states of the federation: Oromia, Benishangul-Gumuz, Harari, andGambella. A total of 120 respondents participated in the study. Two rounds of FGDs were conducted in June andOctober 2022. Participants were purposefully selected from diverse segments of the population, includingcommunity elders, political party members, academicians, youth, women, merchants, farmers, investors, membersof the legislative and executive branches, legal experts and local level administrators. The study found that theEthiopian federation has achieved positive outcomes in certain areas. However, because ethnicity and territory areintertwined, and a significant number of people live intermingled in both urban and rural areas; creatingheterogeneous regions, minority-within-minorities, inter-ethnic conflicts, local tyranny and violations of minorityrights have been pervasive issues since 1991. Consequently, power-sharing mechanisms based on consociationaldemocracy, non-territorial autonomy for dispersed minorities, and a proportional electoral system are indispensablestrategies for resolving conflicts arising from diversity accommodation in general and minority protections inparticular.