The Prime Minister of Ethiopia Mr  Abiy Ahmed has urged ethnic groups in in the country demanding for secession to be patient and join him to build the country into a great nation. He made the plea yesterday during a visit to leaders of the Kafficho ethnic group who requested for a new federal state to break away from the Ethiopian federation. Observers say that the growing number of ethnic groups asking for full independence has created an atmosphere of uncertainty further heightening the destabilization of the very diverse southern region. Addressing the people, the Prime Minister said that “you think that there will be many problems in your problems, there are many interrelated and systemic issues that need to be considered.”

It could be recalled that the country’s southern region was rocked by violence two months ago following a similar campaign by the Sidama ethnic group. These ethnic nationalities are keying into the constitutional requirements in Ethiopia’s Constitution mandating the government to organise a referendum for any ethnic group that wants to form a new entity.  As at the last count, about 11 groups have submitted such bids in the south.

In another development, opposition political parties in the country have threatened to boycott national elections scheduled for next year if changes to an electoral law they view as biased towards the ruling party are not made. There have been regular parliamentary elections since the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) took power in 1991 but, with one exception, none were competitive. One of the key changes the opposition parties pointed out is that one of the amendments raised the number of signatures to register a national party to 10,000, up from 1,500. Regional parties will need 4,000 signatures, up from 750. Aside that, they also complained about the new rule requiring civil servants running for office to take leave without pay.

The current Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed was appointed last year by the EPRDF after three years of anti-government protests, promising reforms including a credible multi-party poll in 2020. The new reforms some of the political parties say were approved in a rush without addressing their demands being met. They however, say that last month’s changes to the election law in parliament, where the ruling party holds all the seats, made it more difficult for them to actively participate.

Observers say that Ethiopia’s political reforms have been threatened by ethnic rivalries. It could be recalled that violence which erupted in some of the regions could lead to serious delays of the elections as many people were forced to relocate from their communities. Inspite of the political and ethnic tensions, the Prime Minister was quoted as saying that his government will continue to engage the people even as political reforms and freedom for journalists and activists will be a continuous process.

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry.