ETHNIC PARTY POLITICS, INSTITUTIONAL EROSION, PARTY FORMATION AND NATIONAL COHESION IN POST-1991 ETHIOPIA: EVIDENCE FROM GAMBELLA REGIONAL STATE

This interpretivist, qualitative single case study explores how ethnic political parties have developed in Gambella Regional State, Ethiopia between 1991. It also examines how they have impacted political representation, inter-ethnic relations and national integration. Data was collected through 20 semistructured interviews with key informants, 6 focus groups with 36 participants in total from Anywaa, Nuer and Opo communities. Non-participatory observation was carried out for 7 days at 3 sites. The analysis used a triangulated approach using data from multiple social science sources. A mixed method thematic analysis was completed to determine the strength of the empirical claims. Findings suggest that ethnic political parties develop through a gradual process. There has been a long history of inclusion in state structures, a significant transformation of traditional structures and the 1991 political transition. While there was some competition between ethnic parties and traditional structures, there was a layering effect. Certain political and administrative actors have become involved in certain mediation roles; however traditional elders still have a monopoly in culturally sensitive issues. The creation of a new political arena has provided more political recognition for the Anywaa and Nuer people. However, the smaller indigenous groups (Majang, Komo and Opo) still claim that they do not have any influence over regional politics. Although ethnically organized political competition has generated inter-group tension, crossethnic social interactions such as intermarriage, market trade, shared education, and everyday collaboration continue to provide a baseline for social cooperation. The study concludes that strengthening national cohesion requires equitable power-sharing, enforceable minority protections, formal recognition of customary dispute mediation, and issue-based political engagement.